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Fatliquor preparation from Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata L.) and its
application for leather processing

Article in IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry · January 2015

DOI: 10.9790/5736-08115458

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IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry (IOSR-JAC)
e-ISSN: 2278-5736.Volume 8, Issue 1 Ver. I. (Jan. 2015), PP 54-58
www.iosrjournals.org

Fatliquor preparation from Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata

L.) and its application for leather processing
Ariful Hai Quadery*1, Md. Tushar Uddin1, Md. Abul Kashem Azad1, Murshid
Jaman Chowdhury **1, Amal Kanti Deb2, Md. Nazmul Hassan**3
1
Leather Research Institute, BCSIR, Nayarhat, Savar, Dhaka-1350, Bangladesh
2
Institute of Leather Engineering & Technology, University of Dhaka, 44-50 Hazaribugh, Dhaka-1209,
Bangladesh
3
Department of Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract: Fatliquor affects the physical properties of the leather and makes more flexible and softer. Fatliquor
prepared from karanja seed oil by sulphation process followed by addition of sodium hydroxide to maintain pH
at 5.0 with conc. sulphuric acid. FT-IR analysis of the sulphated product confirmed the attachment of sulphonic
acid group. The physical and chemical properties of the fatliquor were found satisfactory. The prepared
fatliquor was applied for the processing of goat skins. The processed goat skins physical and chemical
properties compared with the skins processed by fatliquor made from castor oil and all the remaining leather
processing chemicals same in both processing. Goat skins processed by these two types of fatliquor found
standard leather specification. So fatliqour prepared from karanja seed oil extracted by soxlet extraction
method considered as a substitute imported fatliqour.
Keywords: Fatliquor, FT-IR, Strength properties, organo leptic properties, sulphation, Karanja seed oil.

I. Introduction
Karanja (Pongamia pinnata L.) belongs to the family of Leguminaceae. These trees are normally
found around coastal areas, river banks, tidal forests and road sides. Karanja is one of the nitrogen fixing tree
produces seed kernels containing 27-39 percent of oil. The fresh extracted oil is yellowish orange to brown
colour and rapidly darkens on storage. It has a disgusting odour and bitter taste. Karanja oil is mainly used as a
raw material for soap manufacturing but the main constrains for its other usage are the color and odor [1]. The
oil is used mainly as lubricant, water-paint binder and production of biodiesel by methanolysis [2].
This paper describes the use of Karanja seed oil for the preparation of fatliquor and its uses for leather
processing. Most of the fatliquors are imported from other countries and has invested huge foreign currency on
imports. In this study we try to prepare substitutes of imported fatliquors by the fatliquors prepared from our
local raw materials, Karanja seed oil.
The fatty acid composition of typical Karanja seed oil is shown in the Table-1.

Table-1: The fatty acid composition of a typical karanja seed oil [2]
Fatty acid Percentage
Palmitic acid (C16) 11.65
Stearic acid (C18) 7.50
Oleic acid (C18:1) 51.59
Linoleic acid (C18:2) 16.64
Eicosanoic acid (C20) 1.35
Dosocasnoic acid (C22) 4.45
Tetracosanoic acid (C24) 1.09
From the table it is shown that in Karanja seed oil contains higher proportion of oleic acid than other fatty acid.
Higher proportion oleic acid content is suitable for fatliquor preparation

II. Material And Methods

2.1 Raw material
Karanja seeds were collected from Rajshahi district, Bangladesh and full grain chrome tanned leathers
were collected from commercial hide brokers.
2.2 Reagents
Reagents used for analysis are laboratory or analytical grade and leather processing are commercial grade.
2.3 Oil extraction
Karanja seeds are grained to powder form and shade dried for 10-15 days. The dried powders are
subjected to Soxlet extraction using n-hexane as a solvent.

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 Fatliquor preparation from Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata L.) and its application for …

2.4 Sulphation process

A mixture of 40 ml concentrated sulphuric acid and 10 ml of concentrated phosphoric acid are added
drop wise in 200 gm of karanja oil with constant stirring at 18-20°C temperature. Reaction was carried out
slowly (approximately 3 hours required to complete the reaction). The sulphated products shaken with 400 ml of
10% sodium chloride solution and then keep in a separating funnel overnight and layer was separated. The pH
of the separated upper layer sulphated liquor was neutralized at pH 5.0 by adding 30% sodium hydroxide
solution and the resulting fatliquor then applied for leather processing.

2.5 Analysis of the fatliquor

Karanja seed oil was analysed and its chemical and physical characteristics are characteristies
according to the American Oil Chemists Society Methods [3]. Refractive index, acid value, saponification value
and unsaponificable matter were measured.

2.6 FT-IR analysis of Sulphated Product

In order to investigate presence of sulphonic acid group in sulphated fatliquor FT-IR spectra of
sulphated fatliquor was taken using a Shimadzu FT-IR [4].

2.7 Fatliquoring process

After shaving the leather at 0.9 mm, it was wet back by adding water and wetting agent in the drum.
After 30 minutes run the water was drained off. Then by adding 2% neutralizing syntan in the drum it was run
for another 15 minutes at approximately 10 rpm in the ambient temperature. There after 0.5% sodium
bicarbonate was added and the drum was run for an additional 15 minutes at the same speeds maintaining the
pH at 5.0-5.5. The neutralized leather was washed with water and dyed with 1% acid dye for 30 minutes [5], [6].
Then 6% fatliquor was added to the dye bath at room temperature and was run at 10 rpm for 40
minutes. The dyed leather was then washed with water and removed from the drum. After samming and settling
out it was air dried at room temperature and was used for various physical properties investigation. The fat
liquoring process of skin is illustrated by the Table-2.

Table-2: Practical recipe for fat liquoring of skin

Process % Product Duration (min) Remarks
Wet back 200 Water at 35°C
0.2 Ethoxylated Fatty Alcohol
0.2 Oxalic Acid Drum 30 min pH 3.8
Neutralization 100 Water at 35°C
0.5 Sodium bicarbonate
2 Neutralizing Agent Drum 30 min pH 4.6
Dyeing-Fatliquoring 60 Water at 30°C
1 Dye (Beige) Drum 30 min
100 Water at 60°C
6 Sulphated Vegetable Oil ( Karanja Drum 60 min
oil)
1.0 Formic Acid Drum 10 min
1.0 Formic Acid Drum 10 min pH 3.9
Run-off and Wash 10 min

III. Result and Discussion

3.1 Analysis of Karanja seed oil
3.1.1 Physical properties
The physical properties of Karanja seed oil, sulphated Karanja seed oil and sulphated Castor oil (which is
conventionally used as fatliquor in leather processing) are shown in Table-3.

Table-3: Physical properties of Karanja seed oil, sulphated Karanja seed oil and sulphatedn Castor oil
Parameter Karanja oil Sulphated Karanja oil Sulphated castor oil
Appearance Dark brown liquid Brown liquid Pale amber liquid
Solubility in water Insoluble Soluble Soluble
Refractive Index (20.50 C) 1.4686 1.467 1.479
Specific Gravity at (20.5 0C) 0.880 0.861 1.029
Mean ± SD triplicate analysis
From the table it can be shown that the appearance of sulphated Karanja seed oil and sulphated Castor
oil are distinct. Both the sulphated oil is soluble in warm water. The refractive index value, specific gravity
values are higher in case of sulphated castor oil. Thus the physical properties of Karanja seed oil are in
agreement with the reported values [3], [7].
DOI: 10.9790/5736-08115458 www.iosrjournals.org 55 | Page
 Fatliquor preparation from Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata L.) and its application for …

3.1.2 Chemical properties

The chemical properties of Karanja seed oil and sulphated Karanja seed oil compared with sulphated Castor oil
are shown in the Table-4.

Table-4: Chemical properties of Karanja seed oil, sulphated Karanja seed oil and sulphated Castor oil
Parameter Karanja oil Sulphated Koranja oil Sulphated castor oil
pH of 10% solution 8.1 6.2 7.0
% Fatty matter 91.04 60.9 70.1
Saponification value 185 187 176
Iodine Value 86.5 81.5 81
Acid Value 7.1 5.06 8.0
SO3 content -- 4.1% 5.1%
Ash content -- 6.2% 2.8%
Mean ± SD triplicate analysis
From the table-4 it is shown that Karanja seed oil contains high percentage of fatty matter, which
indicates the use of this oil for preparation of fatliquor.
Iodine value shows that the oil has high quantity of unsaturated fatty acid. The iodine value is used to
determine the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids. It is also reported that the oleic acid is the main fatty acids of
this oil.
Karanja seed oil has been found to have the higher saponification value (Table-4). Since saponification
value is inversely proportional to the molecular weight of the fatty acid present in oil. So it is found in liquid
form at room temperature. Karanja seed oil also represents the higher acid value which makes this oil suitable
ingredient for fatliquor.
Colloidal emulsion is indicative of low to medium degree of sulphation. This physical observation
confirms that there is percentage of SO3 incorporated in the sulphated compound. The combined SO3 or
emulsifier is the fuel which drives the oil droplets into the leather. Anionic emulsifier ensures a great degree of
fixation [8], [9] since they will be attracted to the positively charged leather.
It is found that the iodine value of the raw Karanja seed oil decreases after sulphation, while the acid
value increases showing the hydrolysis of fatty molecule.
The pH value of sulphated Karanja seed oil and sulphated Castor oil was found to be 6.2 and 7.0
respectively. This may result of neutralization carried out during the sulfating process.
The result showed that in sulphated Karanja seed oil the percentage of organically combined SO3 [6] is
relatively lower than the sulphated castor oil.
The sulphated Karanja seed oil showed higher ash content than sulphated Castor oil. This value
referred to the sodium salt produced by neutralization of acid during sulphation.

3.2 FT-IR Analysis [4]

Fig. 1(a) The FT-IR spectra of sulphonated oil Fig. 1(b). FT-IR spectra of unsulphonated oil
Fig. 1(a) & 1(b) illustrates the IR spectrum of sulphated and unsulphated Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata
L.). The peaks at Fig.1(a)2854.65cm-1, 1165.00cm-1 & 1222.87cm-1 represent the presence of C-H, C-O & -SO3
groups respectively.

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 Fatliquor preparation from Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata L.) and its application for …

The peaks at Fig.1(b). 2922.16cm-1, 1726.29cm-1 & 1165.00cm-1 are due to the presence of =C-H, C=O & C-O
respectively.

3.3 Stability of Karanja seed oil

The stability of the prepared fatliquor in different solution is shown in Table-5.

Table-5: Stability of 10% solution

Solution Sulphated Karanja seed oil
5% NaCl Stable
5% Na2SO4 Stable
5% Basic Chromium Sulphate Stable 1-2 hours
5% MgO Stable
5% Formic Acid Not stable

From the Table it can be shown that the prepared fatliquor is stable in salts, tanning and basification
agent. This makes it possible using in re-tanning and fatliquoring steps. The stability of the emulsion of the
experimental fatliquor is due to the poly hydroxyl sulphate group which is resistance to hydrolysis.
Commercial sulphated oil may give either a solution or emulsion with water. Such an emulsion may be
either transparent or opaque. This variation in types of emulsion is dependent on the degree of sulphation and to
a subsequent treatment and the neutralization. In general the more opaque types of conclusion are considered to
due taken up better in fat-liquoring. The prepared fat-liquor gives colloidal emulsion with warm water.

3.4 Strength properties

The strength properties [10] like tensile strength tongue tear strength were tested using an instron
tensile tester and grain crack & grain brust using lastometer of two matched side leather those were fat liquored
by using sulphated Karanja seed oil and imported sulphated castor oil have been compared which is shown in
the

Table-6: Strength Properties

Properties Prepared fat-liquor Imported fat-liquor
Tensile strength (N/mm2) Parallel 15.05 19.03
Perpendicular 17.93 21.40
Elongation at break (%) Parallel 53.0 49.0
Perpendicular 28 24
Tear resistance (nm) Parallel 4.9 5.01
Perpendicular 7.2 7.11

From the strength properties analysis conducted, it is evident that the leather fatliquored using
sulphated Karanja seed oil comparable to sulphated castor oil.
Some difference was observed in the physical test of leather however, results were found under the
limit of standard specification which confirmed [6], [8] the suitability of prepared fatliquor. As the strength
properties of the leather are also decided by the Cr 2O3 and fat content, the leather have been physically tested for
tensile strength, elongation at break, stitch tear strength and the results are reported in table-6.
The chromic oxide content and fat content in leather seems to have acceptable value for both the
sulphated Karanja seed oil and Castrol oil. The enhancement in mechanical properties of treated leather using
sulphated Karanja seed oil is due to good lubrication of [6], [11] fibers. The prepared fat-liquor possesses good
penetration power and emulsion stability.
Tensile strength is the value of load the sample cross section can bear when load by the axial load and
it is related with the leather sample state of collagen fibers. Therefore, the tensile strength can characterize the
flexibility of fibers beside for the strength of collagen fibers.
Flexibility is one of the most important properties of leather achieved from fat-liquor. Fat-liquor reduce
the friction between fiber is mainly related to the nature of sulfated oil and the quality of introduced oil. The
elongation at break can characterize the softness, flexibility [5], [6], strength and toughness of leather matrix.

3.5 Physical testing and Hand Evaluation of leather

Experimental and control crust leather were assed for fullness, softness, grain tightness (break) by hand
and visual examination. The leathers were rated on a scale of 0-10 points for each functional property by
experienced leather technologist, where higher points indicate leather property.

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 Fatliquor preparation from Karanja seed oil (Pongamia pinnata L.) and its application for …

3.6 Organo leptic properties

Leather made with sulphated Karanja seed oil and imported fatliquor based on castor oil were analysed
for their organo lepltic properties which are shown in the Table-7.

Table-7: Organo leptic properties

Properties Trial with prepared fatliquor Trial with imported fatliquor
Softness 3.5 4.5
Fullness 4.0 4.5
Surface touch 4.5 4.5
Grain tightness 4.5 4.5
Odor Odorless Distinct

From the Table it can be shown that the leather made with the sulphated Karanja seed oil has the
similar softness, fullness with the fatliquor based on Castor oil. Leather will be full if fiber sickening of the
tanned fiber structure is well avoided.
Firmness or looseness of the grain seems also be coupled with the amount of fat [12], [13] in the grain.
If the papillary layer is externally softened the grain may become loose and poor break occurs. For fullness,
firmness is more critical issue; it requires proper adjustment of combination of fatliquor, dyeing and subsequent
mechanical operation.

IV. Conclusion
The leather processed by the prepared fatliquor and conventional fatliquor are very closer in respect of
physical, chemical, strength and organo leptic properties. Firmness or looseness of the grain coupled with the
amount of fat in the grain. If the papillary layer is externally softened the grain may become loose and poor
break occurs. For fullness, firmness is more critical issue; it requires proper adjustment of combination of
fatliquor, dyeing and subsequent mechanical operation. Firmness value of prepared fatliquor less than
convention liquor firmness value but higher percentage of fatty matter content ensures its suitability for
preparing fatliquor. On the other hand prepared fatliquor is stable in salt, tanning and basification agent.
Moreover the physical and chemical properties of the prepared fatliquor are very much closer to those of
conventional fatliquor. Thus Karanja seed oil may be considered as an important source of fatliquor material.

Acknowledgements
We are gratefully acknowledge the laboratory facilities provided by the Leather Research Institute.
BCSIR, Dhaka, Bangladesh and respective teacher of University of Dhaka for their guideline and constant help

References
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DOI: 10.9790/5736-08115458 www.iosrjournals.org 58 | Page

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