The research aimed to evaluate the tanning ability of Mimosa tenuiflora and Mimosa arenosa tannins and to compare them with the Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil, species used in traditional tanneries for tanning of skins from Brazilian semi-arid region. Tanning and leather retanning were held in an industrial plant and the physico-mechanical characterizations of tanned skins were determined at Technology Center of Leather and Footwear "Albano Franco". The tannins obtained from Mimosa tenuiflora had better potential during tanning and leather retanning. The physico-mechanical characteristics of the skins tanned with tannins from Mimosa tenuiflora were better than those of other species. Based on the tanning; the resistance of the tanned skins and the dispersion of Mimosa tenuiflora in the Brazilian semi-arid, this species possess potential to be used in the tanning of skins, needing, however the studies to improve their tanning characteristics and a economic analysis for employment of Mimosa tenuiflora tannin extracts in the industrial tanning of skins.
plants from Brazilian semi-arid; bark; tannins; vegetable tanning
