Abstract

The Cold Storage Commission produces some 450,000 hides per year which at present are preserved by salting. This is causing effluent problems at abattoirs and tanneries and there is great interest in alternative preservation systems, particularly for those hides destined for the local tanning industry where short-term preservation would be adequate. This paper reviews the scope for salt-free preservation of hides in Zimbabwe by improved drying methods, chemical reduction of water activity, radiation sterilisation. chilling, freezing and treatment with bactericides. The overall conclusion is that prospects appear good for developing a short-term hide preservation system appropriate to the needs of the Cold Storage Commission in Zimbabwe. The most promising systems are based on chilling or treatment with bactericides such as benzalkonium chloride, boric acid. Vantocil TB (ICI plc), Busan 30 and Busan 52 (Buckman Laboratories). Each system has different implications for capital costs, operating costs and flexibility in production, storage and marketing. Laboratory studies and field trials comparing selected treatments will be described in subsequent papers.