How does protein substance in an animal hide or skin be prevented from bacterial infection during the process of tanning? * a. By soaking in water b. By deliming using an acid c. By brine curing d. By scudding with dull knife

c. By brine curing

Explanation:

Tanning refers to the process of treating the hides and skins of animals to produce leather.The different processes involved in the tanning of leather include:

Curing: this is the process of applying salt to the animal hide to prevent decay  from bacterial growth. It also serves to reduce the moisture content of the animal hide.

Soaking : this involves soaking the hides in clean water to remove the salt left over from curing and increase the moisture content for further treatment of the hide.

Liming: Liming is done by applying lime to remove hair, fat and grease and in order for the hide to swell up.

Scudding: This is the process of further removal of usually done first by a machine, and then manually using a dull knife.

Deliming: This is done using an acid to reduce the pH of the collagen found in the hide being tanned.