Abstract

The content of free fatty acids was investigated by qualitative and quantitative methods. The cableextraction method was used to test six different types of leather sample in which the dichloromethane was as extraction agent. After the extract was methyl esterified it was again extracted by petroleum ether. Then the colour and titration method were used to quantitatively analyse the extract. Meantime, the effect of different decolourisation ways on the quantitative analysis was studied. The properties of extraction products were characterized by GC-MS. The results show that the main components of free fatty acids in leather are oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and some linoleic acid. When the level of ethanol in the decolourising solution is 80% to 85% the effect is, overall, better.