The Characteristics of Buffalo Hide as Raw Material for Gelatin Production

This study was aimed to observe the physical and chemical properties of buffalo hide as raw material for gelatin production by pretreatment using alkali-acid. Buffalo hide was observed on three sections, i.e. back (butt/croupon), abdomen (belly) and shoulder. The physical properties of the hide were analysed through the measurement of hide thickness, whereas the chemical properties were analysed by determining the proximate and amino acid composition. The qualities of gelatin (gel strength, viscosity and pH) were compared to standard commercial gelatin and Gelatin Manufactures Institute of America (GMIA). Gelatin extraction was done using a combination pretreatment alkali (0.5M NaOH) and acid (0,9M HCl). The results showed that butt section had collagen density was best compared to shoulder and belly. The thickness of butt (10.219 ± 0.318 mm) smaller than the shoulder (11.365 ± 0.389 mm), but thicker than the belly. The protein and hydroxyproline content on the butt was the highest, resulting the value 27.517 ± 0.049% and 97.330 ± 0.331 ppm, respectively. Extraction using 0.9 M hydrochloric acid produced yield 29.17 ± 2.12%. The gel strength 242.35 ± 12.90 g Bloom, viscosity 16.37 ± 1.5 cp and pH 5.15 ± 0.05. The gelatin quality meets the standards of quality of GMIA (2012) even better than commercial gelatin.