Abstract:
Ecological concerns emanating from the use of inorganic tanning agents in leather
processing have been on the rise, leading to increased research on alternative tanning
agents. This study aimed at determining the tannin content in two banana leaf midrib
samples and their tanning strengths. Soxhlet method was used to extract the tannins
from the banana leaf midrib samples. Different solvents were investigated in order to
determine the best candidate for the extraction of tannins. Chemical tests were used to
determine the nature of tannins present in the selected banana species. Hide powder
method made it possible to quantify the tannins present and their tanning strength. The
extracted samples were further analyzed using FTIR to establish the functional groups
present. Highest tannins yields were obtained using distilled water as solvent at 14.51
± 0.17% and 7.14 ± 0.15% for sweet banana species (Musa sapentium Linn.) and
‘Muraru’ (AA genome) midribs respectively. Musa sapentium Linn. and ‘Muraru’ (AA
genome) midrib tannins had tannin content of 11.71 ± 0.33% and 6.36 ± 0.19%
respectively from the hide powder method. Both species had a tanning strength greater
a
than the recommended minimum value of 1.5. However, the data from the study
showed that only sweet banana leaf midrib tannins can be commercially viable in
leather tanning since they have a tannin content above the required minimum value
(>10%).
