Evaluation of Physical Properties of Leather on the Bating Process by Combination of Papain Enzyme with Surfactant

Bating is one of the important stages in the tanning process that has a role as a determinant of leather properties. It is commonly carried out with the assistance of protease enzymes such as papain. By using surfactants, sorbitol and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), it can help the penetration of enzymes into the skin or hides. Thereby, the study aimed to evaluate the use of papain on the bating process of kacang goat skin by assisted surfactants. Accordingly, three different concentrations (1, 1.5, & 2%) of enzymes were added with two different types of surfactants (SDS and Sorbitol) for the bating process. For the result, the leather was evaluated based on physical properties and histology studies. The presence of surfactant in the bating process improves the absorption of papain towards the hydrolysis of non-collagenous proteins. Based on the physical properties and histology studies, they perform better than leather without surfactant agents. Cleary, the surfactant agents can be used as bating auxiliary.