Feather disintegration studies with keratinolytic protease from Thermo actionmyces sp. RM4

Keratinases are a particular class of proteolytic enzymes that display the capability of degrading insoluble keratin substrates. Increased attention has been devoted to these enzymes because of their several potential uses associated to the hydrolysis of keratinous substrates and other applications. Keratin-rich wastes are of difficult degradation since the polypeptide is densely packed and strongly stabilized by several hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Thus, keratinolytic enzymes may have important uses in the biotechnological conversion of keratin-containing wastes from poultry and leather industries, through the development of non-polluting processes. Insoluble feather keratins can be converted, after enzymatic hydrolysis, to feedstuffs, fertilizers, and films. The present study is aimed at feather detachment and hydrolysis by keratinase of a bacterial isolate Thermo Actionmyces sp. RM4 isolated from soil sample by spread plating method on nutrient agar (pH 8) at 60°C. Feather fibril detachment and hydrolysis was studied using 70% ethanol washed chicken feathers using enzyme treatment along with additive βME in different combinations. Patterns of detachment were recorded by periodic observation of the treated feathers using compound light microscope at 10× magnification. Keratinase from the isolate make gradual changes in the feather with 0.1% βME which could be observed visibly and clean shaft was obtained after 24 hrs. Thus, keratinase from this isolate have a relevant economical and environmental impact to alleviate the pollution problems created by poultry industries.