Abstract

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) have been employed to study changes of collagen’s fibril fine structure in pigskin tissue after enzyme treatment. The 3D-structure of fibrils in enzyme treated pigskin tissue was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The work yielded information about the most typical changes in fibrils and sub-fibrils under enzyme treatment and the relationship between enzymatic depilation and the mechanical characteristics of finished leather.