Microbial degradation of chicken feathers to convert waste into value added biopolymer

Abstract
A study on the bioconversion of chicken feathers (Broiler and Desi) by microbial degradation to extract keratin and in turn produce biopolymer was carried out in the Department of Livestock Products Technology (Meat Science), Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-7. Seven trials were carried out each with the broiler and desi feathers. The extracted keratin was lyophilized and evaluated for pH, yield, protein, fat and instrumental color analysis. The molecular characteristics were also studied by using FT-IR. The study revealed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the yield, pH, protein, fat, redness, yellowness, hue and chroma values of keratin extracted from both the chicken feathers. There was a high significant difference (P>0.05) between lightness of keratin extracted from broiler and desi chicken feathers. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis of keratin indicated the presence of an α-helix structure, a β-sheet type and the disulphide bonds existing in the sample which characterized that the extracted content was keratin. Keratin biopolymer was prepared from the extracted keratin by a casting technique.
Description
TNV_IJCS_2018_6(4)2750-2753
Keywords
Veterinary Science
Citation