Valorization of sustainable vegetable oil deodorizer distillate as a novel fatliquor

The deodorizer distillate (DD) is a byproduct of vegetable oil processing industry and is rich in functional bioactive components. This study aimed to employ phosphorylation modification for DD to produce a new sustainable fatliquor. The bioactive ingredients in DD, namely fatty acids, sterols, and tocopherols, were determined by using HPLC and GLC. The results revealed that the DD sample contained a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids (72.3%) and high levels of γ and δ-tocopherols (54.8% and 31.60%, respectively). Mechanical parameters (tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength) of leather were improved after being treated with the prepared fatliquor emulsion. Eventually, SEM showed that the texture of the fatliquored leather had been remarkably enhanced. Moreover, the fatliquored leather possessed effective antibacterial effect against the specified +ve, −ve bacteria, and Candida albicans microorganisms. The strength, fullness, soft handle, and elasticity of leather were all improved, and the grain of leather was protected from becoming loose after drying. Graphical Abstract