Abstract: Halophilic bacteria have been shown to cause red heat on brine-cured hides, resulting in extensive damage to leather made from the hides. The addition of bile salts to raceways or to hides directly has been found to prevent the occurrence of red heat by inhibiting the growth of the halophilic bacteria. Bile salt solutions were added to cultures of Haloarcula hispanica, Haloferax gibbonsii and Haloferax mediterranei. Fresh hides were also cured in brine containing halobacteria and bile salts. In both instances, the presence of bile salts inhibited the growth of halobacteria, and hides cured in the presence of halobacteria did not develop red heat.