Editing Leather (section)

==Role of enzymes==
{{Main|Bating (leather)}}
[[Enzyme]]s like [[protease]]s, [[lipase]]s, and [[amylase]]s have an important role in the soaking, dehairing, degreasing, and bating operations of leather manufacturing. Proteases are the most commonly used enzymes in leather production. The enzyme must not damage or dissolve [[collagen]] or [[keratin]], but should hydrolyze [[casein]], [[elastin]], [[albumin]], [[globulin]]-like proteins, and nonstructural proteins that are not essential for leather making. This process is called bating.<ref>{{Cite book| title = Fundamentals of Leather Manufacture| first = E. | last = Heidemann| page = 211| publisher = Eduard Roether KG | isbn = 3-7929-0206-0| year = 1993}}</ref>

Lipases are used in the degreasing operation to hydrolyze fat particles embedded in the skin.<ref>{{Cite book| title = Physical Chemistry of Leather Making| first = K. | last = Bienkiewicz| page = 226| publisher = Robert E. Krieger | isbn = 0-89874-304-4| year = 1983}}</ref>

Amylases are used to soften skin, to bring out the grain, and to impart strength and flexibility to the skin. These enzymes are rarely used.