Abstract

The soaking process poses the most significant bacterial threat to the raw material amongst all the beamhouse processes. In soaking various bactericides are used in order to avoid possible defects, these chemicals which are lethal to bacteria may also be harmful to the environment and human health. As an alternative to these chemical based bactericides, the possible use of ozone – which is used as an antimicrobial agent in various industries – in the leather industry is investigated. The effect of ozone applications of 5, 10 and 15 minutes per hour were investigated comparing it to the effect of a sodium dimethyl dithiocarbamide based bactericide. 15 minutes of ozone application has been found to be the most effective on bacterial growth prevention.