Obtaining Bio-leather from Bacterial Cellulose by Mineral and Vegetable Tanning

Velasquez-Ccosi P.F.; Cartagena-Cutipa R.; Málaga Juárez J.A.; Gómez Mamani R.; Arias Escobar J. · Revista Politecnica (2025) · DOI: 10.33333/rp.vol56n2.04

Resumen

The conventional production of leather poses environmental risks due to the use of chromium. This study therefore aimed to obtain alternative materials with a similar appearance to conventional leather from bacterial cellulose (BC), produced by static fermentation of a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), in substrates formulated with commercial sucrose (SA), cocoa mucilage (CM) and hydrolysed whey powder (WP). Ten formulations were evaluated using a simplex centroid design with increased axial points to achieve the highest BC yield (30.08 ± 0.15 g/L) with 150 g of SA and 50 g of CM (T1), which produced a purity of 96%. The BC was then subjected to mineral tanning with chromium sulfate (SC), synthetic tanning with Tensotan GL-50 (T-GL) and vegetable tanning with tara powder (PT), both in pure and combined mixtures. The treatment with a mixture of 5% T-GL and 5% PT (T6) produced the highest tensile strength (23.12 ± 0.74 N/mm²), while the highest elongation (17.22 ± 0.80%) was achieved using a mixture of 5% SC and 5% T-GL (T4). SEM micrographs revealed random, adhesive fibers in the SC-tanned samples, as well as particle deposits and cracking in the PT-tanned samples. This explains their lower mechanical performance. In conclusion, CB bioleder shows promise as a substitute for conventional leather; however, the use of fixatives to improve stability and mechanical properties is required to optimize the performance of vegetable tanning agents.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada de Tacna; Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga; Universidad Nacional de Juliaca