Keratin hydrolysates obtained from sheep wool from the leather industry

This work presents experiments in making biopolymer-based materials with smart functionalities from renewable resources in the leather industry, applicable in various areas. Keratin hydrolysates were obtained by alkaline hydrolysis in the presence of NaOH and CaO. The physico-chemical characterization, DLS and FT-IR analysis of keratin hydrolysates highlighted the rich content in protein and total nitrogen. The recovery of wool by-products from the leather industry leads to less waste and helps prevent environmental pollution

Added functions of leather surface by Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles use and some considerations on their cytotoxicity

Content: Nanoparticles showed a huge potential for new properties development in many economic sectors like electronics, medicine, textile, waste water treatment etc. The modification of surface functionality by using low concentrations of nanomaterials opens the possibility of lowering the ecological impact of chemical materials based on volatile organic compounds. The objectives of our research were related to the use of commercial nanoparticles based on Ag and TiO2 with average particle size of 8 nm for leather surface functionalization and the investigation of the cytotoxicological impact of nanoparticle concentrations on human skin cells. The practical implications of the approach consist of multifunctional leather surface development, leather durability and comfort increase by generating antimicrobial and self-cleaning properties. The relation between leather functionality and the cytotoxicity concentration limit of nanomaterials was the hypothesis of our research. The main procedures for leather surface covering followed the classical recipes based on surface spraying with film forming composites with nanoparticle content. The optimized technology was evaluated by leather surface analyses regarding the antimicrobial (SR EN ISO 20645) and self-cleaning properties under UV and visible light exposure as compared to leather surface covered without nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity tests were performed by incubation of keratinocytes (Human immortalized keratinocytes-HaCaT) with different concentrations of nanoparticles for 48 hours and measurement of cell viability by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay protocol. Other tests were devoted to leather wearing simulation in order to estimate the potential transfer of nanoparticles on human skin and the health and safety impact. These simulations were based on rubbing test (SR EN ISO 11640) followed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analyses and by leachability tests (SR EN ISO 4098) performed in artificial perspiration solution followed by inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses, according to SR EN ISO 17294-2 and SR EN ISO 16171. The main conclusions of our research showed that it is possible to add multifunctional value to leather surface by using Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles with low impact on safety and health. Acknowledgements: The works were funded by UEFISCDI and MCI, project number PNIII_15/2015-2018 under the frame of SIINN, the ERA-NET for a Safe Implementation of Innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology program and respectively, PN 19 XX 05 01 project/2019 under Nucleus program TEX-PELVISION 2022 Take-Away: - antimicrobial and self-cleanning nanoparticles for leather surface finishing - Ag and TiO2 nanoparticle cytotoxicity tests for human skin cells - multifunctional surface properties with low cytotoxicological impac

Removal of ions from dilute solutions by emulsion liquid membranes technique

S.C. PIELOREX S.A.;S.C. PRODSTEFANO S.R.L;S.C. TARO INDUSTRY S.A.;PRO COMOD SHOES SRL4th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Systems, ICAMS 2012 -- 27 September 2012 through 29 September 2012 -- Bucharest -- 100613The separation of uranyl ions from dilute solutions can be realized by a facilitated transport using a carrier, dissolved in an membrane. This process was realized by emulsion liquid membranes technique and is a solution to a problem of environmental pollution. By this method, aqueous solutions containing uranyl ions in the range 2-10 mg/L were extracted and concentration reduced to under 0,4 mg/L, so that these solutions can be delivered to surface waters. The inverted emulsions used in extractions were obtained by stirring equal volumes of organic phase and aqueous stripping solution containing NaHCO3 and Span 80. Liquid membranes containing mobile complexing agents have been widely studied in the form of inverted emulsions known as emulsion liquid membranes (ELM). The present work is original because presents the possibility of using ELM method to separate the uranyl ions UO22+ from dilute solutions and waste waters. By dispersing the inverted emulsion Water/Oil in the phase source, a liquid membrane is realized between the two phases, source and receiving solution. In conclusion it was demonstrated the possibility of applying the ELM technique using ammonium quaternary salts as carrier to remove the uranyl ions from waste waters with high extractions yields (85-90%)

Added functions of leather surface by Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles use and some considerations on their cytotoxicity

Content: Nanoparticles showed a huge potential for new properties development in many economic sectors like electronics, medicine, textile, waste water treatment etc. The modification of surface functionality by using low concentrations of nanomaterials opens the possibility of lowering the ecological impact of chemical materials based on volatile organic compounds. The objectives of our research were related to the use of commercial nanoparticles based on Ag and TiO2 with average particle size of 8 nm for leather surface functionalization and the investigation of the cytotoxicological impact of nanoparticle concentrations on human skin cells. The practical implications of the approach consist of multifunctional leather surface development, leather durability and comfort increase by generating antimicrobial and self-cleaning properties. The relation between leather functionality and the cytotoxicity concentration limit of nanomaterials was the hypothesis of our research. The main procedures for leather surface covering followed the classical recipes based on surface spraying with film forming composites with nanoparticle content. The optimized technology was evaluated by leather surface analyses regarding the antimicrobial (SR EN ISO 20645) and self-cleaning properties under UV and visible light exposure as compared to leather surface covered without nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity tests were performed by incubation of keratinocytes (Human immortalized keratinocytes-HaCaT) with different concentrations of nanoparticles for 48 hours and measurement of cell viability by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay protocol. Other tests were devoted to leather wearing simulation in order to estimate the potential transfer of nanoparticles on human skin and the health and safety impact. These simulations were based on rubbing test (SR EN ISO 11640) followed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analyses and by leachability tests (SR EN ISO 4098) performed in artificial perspiration solution followed by inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses, according to SR EN ISO 17294-2 and SR EN ISO 16171. The main conclusions of our research showed that it is possible to add multifunctional value to leather surface by using Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles with low impact on safety and health. Acknowledgements: The works were funded by UEFISCDI and MCI, project number PNIII_15/2015-2018 under the frame of SIINN, the ERA-NET for a Safe Implementation of Innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology program and respectively, PN 19 XX 05 01 project/2019 under Nucleus program TEX-PELVISION 2022 Take-Away: - antimicrobial and self-cleanning nanoparticles for leather surface finishing - Ag and TiO2 nanoparticle cytotoxicity tests for human skin cells - multifunctional surface properties with low cytotoxicological impac

Spectral study on plant extracts releasing from medical fur items

The objective is to obtain leathers and furs for medical or everyday use, with high performance characteristics, through the use of new plant extracts that have not been used in leather industry so far, as an alternative to the use of chemicals with pollutant potential. Developing a complex analytical system for the characterization of natural extracts as additives and their role of fur and leather processing, is important both scientifically and technologically. The complex system consists of two spectral methods coupled and interdependent spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible (UV-VIS) and infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FT/IR-ATR). For the spectral study of releasing kinetics of volatile substances, from the hair of natural furs processed for medical use, a series of oil extracts from the following plants have been selected: thyme, lavender and sage. For this purpose, desorption rates of active principles in fur supports treated by spray coating or by immersion have been analyzed and a series of fur items have been created, which can be treated with plant extracts to achieve prophylactic effects (bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, revulsive, relaxing etc)