Chemical Modification of Hydrolysate Protein Extracted from Chrome Shavings

In order to enhance the commercial value of hydrolysate protein from chrome shavings, the chemical modification of hydrolysate protein with glutaraldehyde was studied. Samples of hydrolysate protein extracted from chromium containing leather waste were chemically modified with different amounts of glutaraldehyde and at different temperatures. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to analyze the modified fragments. A Cannon Manning viscosimeter was used to measure the viscosities of modified products. The experiments showed the molecular weights of the modified products increase with the amount of glutaraldehyde. And the better amount of glutaraldehyde based on hydrolysate protein is about 12% and the optimal offer temperature is over 60?℃.Also, the filling experiments was done with modified products. A fluorescence method was used to label modified product for microscope observation. The scanning electron microscope analyzed the fibrous structure of filled leather. The results show the modified product has better filling properties. With the helps of a proper process, the modified products can be used as filler in tanning industry.