Antimicrobial activity of Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula Retz.) nuts: Application in raw skin preservation for leather making

Abstract

The antimicrobial property of some plant materials is useful as an eco-benign option. The combination of Terminalia Chebula Retz. nuts powder (MP) and common salt (CS) has been employed for better action. The synergistic composition involving MP and CS in 1:1 ratio with 10 % each (% w/w of raw skin) could provide short term preservation of raw skin/hide up to 45 days without any degradation of skin. About 40-50 % (% w/w based on raw skin weight) CS is employed for short term preservation of raw hides/skins in leather processing. The present method based on natural products avoids CS by 75 % and reduces significant total dissolved solids content / salinity in wastewater.