Investigation into the Tanning Potential of Azadiracta indica (Neem)

Azadirachta indica, also known as Neem and Nim tree, is a tree of Mahogany family and it is one of the two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to indica which is widely planted in Nigeria. Neem bark was collected from Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Samaru Zaria which was dried, crushed and milled to 0.5 mm size using milling machine and was used to evaluate its tanning potential on shoe upper leather using 20 %, 25 % and 30 % of the powdered Neem bark on pelts. The shrinkage temperature of the three leather samples produced was 80 0C; the percentage elongation was 58 %, 55 % and 54 % for sample A (20 %), B (25 %) and C (30 %) respectively which is within the standard. The stitch tear strength of the resultant leather was good and the color of the sample changed slightly and became brightly colored after 4 hours which shows good fastness to light. From the results obtained, Neem bark can be used for tanning of leather for different purposes