Using Proteomics, Immunohistology, and Atomic Force Microscopy To Characterize Surface Damage to Lambskins Observed after Enzymatic Dewooling

Abstract

The effects of conventional lime sulfide depilation and enzymatic depilation on the enamel layer of pickled lamb pelts were examined using atomic force and optical microscopy, immunohistological, and proteomic techniques. Microscopy showed that the surface structure of enzymatically depilated material was visibly less organized than conventionally processed material, implying that the enzymes used for depilation were responsible for this difference. Proteomic analyses identified an absence of collagen VI in the enamel of skins that had been processed with enzymes, in contrast to the skins that had been processed using conventional methods, which was confirmed using immunolocalization studies. It is therefore possible that the destruction of collagen VI during enzymatic depilation may cause the changes to the enamel structure observed during enzyme processing and in turn affect the quality of the finished product.

Collagen Fibril Orientation in Ovine and Bovine Leather Affects Strength: A Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) Study

“…2 Leather structure is complex on several levels, including the microscopic scale as determined by the use of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3À7 and atomic force microscopy (AFM). 6,8,9 These techniques generally provide qualitative information about fiber organization but may also give quantitative measurements.…”

“…However, it is clear that leather consists of a network of fibers based on collagens, a group of proteins that are responsible for the structure and physical properties of skin (and therefore leather) and several other animal tissues . Leather structure is complex on several levels, including the microscopic scale as determined by the use of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), − and atomic force microscopy (AFM). ,, These techniques generally provide qualitative information about fiber organization but may also give quantitative measurements.…”

Leather Structure Determination by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS): Cross Sections of Ovine and Bovine Leather

“…Differences between fiber structures have been determined through the use of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) − , and atomic force microscopy (AFM) ,, . The microscopic techniques generally give qualitative measurement of fiber organization but may also give quantitative measurement of fiber dimensions and d period.…”