The influence of sodium chloride replacement with potassium chloride as a curing agent on the quality of tanned pufferfish (Arothon reticularis) skin

The pufferfish skin is a by-product that is underutilized. Skin tanning is the prospect way to enhance the economic value of pufferfish skin. The tanning process is a long one, including the process of curing the skin. Sodium chloride is commonly used for curing the skin. However, sodium chloride can increase the total dissolved solids (TDS) that will be problematic in the environment. Potassium chloride can be used instead of sodium chloride. This study aims to determine the influence of substituting sodium chloride with potassium chloride on the quality of tanned pufferfish skin. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride were used in the skin curing process, while the storage time was 0, 1, 2, and 3 weeks. The assays performed are salt concentration on the skin, scanning electron microscope (SEM), FTIR, and physical quality of tanned pufferfish skin. The results showed that the salt content of potassium chloride in the skin was more easily absorbed than the salt of sodium chloride. The SEM and FTIR tests, descriptively, show no significant difference. The physical quality of the pufferfish skin preserved using potassium chloride is better than that of sodium chloride. Potassium chloride deserves to be used as a substitute for sodium chloride.