Abstract

The stability of the collagen molecule is not constant but changes with the age of the animal at the time of slaughter. In the case of sheep, skins from immature animals show different responses to the early stages of the leather manufacturing process and are commercially important. These differences are manifested by inconsistent and irregular surface appearance of the grain in the finished leather. Historically, in vitro “ageing” of semi-processed (pickled) pelts has made for more consistent leather. Work on the alternative approach of self-regulating, “chemical ageing” of untanned pelt is considered, along with an assessment of the laboratory technique developed from isometric tension phenomena which have proved most useful in monitoring these changes. A preliminary report into the role played by removal of proteoglycans in obtaining product regularity is included.