Rumex Abyssinicus(Mekmeko): A Newer Alternative For Leather Manufacture

The development of a cleaner and sustainable tanning system is gaining more importance, which is driving the search to an alternative for conventional chrome tanning. In the present study, tanning systems based onRumex abyssinicus(mekmeko) extract for the production of upper leathers were investigated as a cleaner alternative tanning system. The characteristics of mekmeko extract as a tanning agent for leather processing were also studied in comparison with commercial wattle extract, as a control. The average size of particles in mekmeko extract is observed to be slightly higher than wattle extract. The critical aggregation concentration of mekmeko is observed to be at 0.39%, which is slightly at a higher concentration than wattle extract. An increase in hydrothermal stability of leathers with the increasing offer of mekmeko for tanning was observed. The organoleptic and strength properties of the upper leathers from the mekmeko tanning system are found to be comparable to that of wattle tanning systems. Therefore, the results in this study indicate that the manufacture of upper leathers using the tanning mentioned above system found to be satisfactory and also leads to a greener tanning pathway.