Biochemical composition and biological properties of axis deer's skin

Biochemical composition was studied and biological properties of the raw material and concentrate obtained from the skins of sika deer of various age groups were determined. The material of this study was skins of sika deer of different sex and age groups, such as stags, does, young deer and fawns; the skins originated from various parts of the animals’ bodies; 5 samples per each group were taken. Native raw materials were dried using an infrared dryer. Obtained hydrolysate concentrate was fermented with a combination of the enzymes SG-50 (150.0 TU) and Papain (6.0 TU), followed by infrared drying. The yield of cured sika deer skins for stags, does and fawns was approximately the same and amounted to 34.2 % on average, whereas the yield of cured skins of young sika deer was 40.0 %; the time of drying ranged from 8 (stag skin) to 11 (doe skin) hours. The maximum protein content was found both in native raw materials and in the stag skin concentrate: 81.5 % and 81.2 %, respectively. The doe skin had the predominant amount of fat; its concentration exceeded that in the raw material by 26 % and in the stag skin by 37 %. As for the total amount of macronutrient elements, young deer skin showed the biggest concentration, whereas the doe skin had the biggest amount of micronutrient elements. The greatest yield of solids was observed in the skin of sika deer stags (96.5 %); the maximum solubility of the concentrate was 85.4 %. The skins of young deer showed the lowest yield of solids and solubility, which amounted to 81.9 % and 76.9 %, respectively. According to the results of biotest, no deaths of single specimens were observed within 3 hours and later. Ciliates retained their natural activity, which indicates biological safety.