Biotechnological Strategy for the Valorisation of Feather Waste Using Keratinolytic Actinobacteria

In Nigeria, both local poultry farms and industries produce significant amount of feathers, which is a rich source of keratin. The traditional method of disposal for this waste is incineration or landfill which could result to an environmental effect and depletion of resource. Complex biopolymers undergo turnover by the action of various microorganisms including Actinobacteria. This is achieved by the ability of these organisms to secrete an array of extracellular enzymes. This research focuses on a cost-effective biotechnological approach for the environmentally friendly valorisation of feather waste by employing Actinobacteria isolated from the soil compost obtained from the dumping site of feather waste. Actinobacteria were isolated from the soil compost obtained from the dumping site of feather waste and screened for their ability to degrade raw chicken feather and keratinase production. Among the isolated strains of the Actinobacteria, isolate-13 was identified as the most potent for biodegradation of feather waste. The intact native feathers were about 97% degraded after 96 hours of cultivation with the isolate-13 and the initial production of extracellular keratinase under submerged fermentation was found to be 12.35 ± 0.11 U/ml. Temperature, pH, substrate, and incubation period were all found to influence the biosynthesis of extracellular keratinase by the Actinobacteria isolate-13. These results highlight the potential economic and environmental benefits, as well as sustainable poultry feather waste management strategy.