Camel bone was demineralized through HCl-acidulation process at different concentrations (0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 %) over 1 to 5 days. The level of demineralization was acid concentration and soaking time dependent. Highest demineralization (62.0 %) was recorded in bone sample treated with 6.0 % dilute acid for 5 days. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) elemental-analysis revealed reduction in Ca and increase in N and H while O remain unaffected. Particulate characteristics by scanning electron microscope showed an increased surface roughness of bone after demineralization. Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) analysis of ossein depicted the presence of functional group similar to that of bone-protein (collagen). Statistical optimization by Central Composite Design (CCD) revealed a significant quadratic model for optimum values of extraction temperature, pH and extraction time. The highest gelatin yield from camel bone was 23.66 % at optimum extraction condition (71.87 °C, pH 5.26 and 2.58 h) and the bloom was 205.74 g. Camel bone is suitable for production of gelatin with good potentials in food and nonfood applications.
Key words: Acidulation, ossein, camel-bone, collagen and gelatin