Vegetable tanning using the bark of the babool tree
All Gusti Leather nature products are tanned using the bark of the babool tree. The tree grows primarily in India and Africa. It reaches heights of 5 to 20 meters on sandy soil in dry climates, but grows very slowly. The tree’s bark contains up to 20% of the natural tanning agent tannin and is therefore very well suited for tanning various types of leather.
The Vegetable Tanning Process
During the tanning process, the tannins cross-link the collagen molecules in the leather. Collagen molecules are structural proteins found in the connective tissue and lower layers of the skin in both human and animal bodies. This cross-linking gives the leather greater durability and tensile strength. Additionally, the leather becomes flexible and is protected against decomposition by microorganisms.
The Versatility of the Babool Tree
The babool tree also offers several properties that are important in medicine. For example, the bark can be used to protect against scurvy or to provide relief from stomachaches and nausea. Furthermore, the tree’s legumes can serve as animal feed. The tree is thus highly versatile.
Additional sources (accessed: 03/04/2019):
- grow-trees.com/trees.php?tree_id=96&tree_name=babool--babul
- wikipedia(dot)org/wiki/Collagen#Leather
