Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Around 80-85% of leather is produced using chrome, in its trivalent (III) form, as a tanning agent. For different reasons, part of this Cr (III) can be transformed into Cr (VI) in the leather itself. Cr (VI) is carcinogenic and mutagenic if inhaled, toxic if ingested and allergenic when in contact with the skin. It is estimated that up to 0.11% of the European population is allergic to Cr (VI). Although the European Commission is expected to establish this year a limit of 3 ppm for the amount of Cr VI/ kg of leather in goods intended to be in contact with skin, some chrome VI sensitised patients have developed cutaneous allergic reactions to values under this limit. However, the analytical standard test methods currently applied feature a detection limit of 3 ppm.By means of an in vitro method (cultured human fibroblasts), cytotoxicity assays were performed by exposing them to known Cr (VI) concentrations (>3 ppm) prepared in a 5.5 pH artificial sweat buffer for 24h, and then analysing cell viability by means of the MTT cytotoxicity test. Furthermore, extracts were obtained in the same buffer from chrome-tanned leather containing Cr VI, in order to determine if the cytotoxicity was attributable to Cr (VI) exclusively, or if it was modulated by the effect of another compounds present in tanned leather.

Biography

Maestre I completed her PhD degree in the field of cell biology at Miguel Hernandez University (Alicante, Spain). She has been working as a researcher in INESCOP (Footwear Technological Institute) since 2005, being part of the Biotechnology Department.