Keratin Hydrolysate from Feather

A process for the production of keratinase.

The poultry processing industry generates large quantities of feathers as waste and needs to be disposed of safely. Chicken feathers contain around 91% protein as keratin which could be degraded by keratinases, and the resulting hydrolysate finds application as raw materials in many industries.

Hydrolysis of feathers is accomplished through (a) physical methods involving high temperature and pressure, (b) chemical methods using alkalis, and (c) biochemical methods using microbial strain or enzymes.

The biochemical hydrolysis method is environment-friendly, cost-effective, and does not require any downstream processing. The keratinase could efficiently degrade various keratinous substrates and be used in multiple industries, including leather, poultry, and cosmetics.

• Developed process could provide sustainable solution to the disposal of feather wastes.
• The process is cost-effective and considered a zero-waste discharge process.
• The keratin powder product could be used in various industries, including agriculture, poultry, and cosmetics.
• Import substitution (Aatmanirbharta)
• An exemplary model for the circular economy as it provides scope for financial returns from the wastes of the poultry industry.