Isolation of Keratinolytic from Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Farms and Assessment of their Efficacy in Feathers Degradation

Keratinolytic microorganisms and their enzymes are associated with poultry feather degradation. In the present study feathers of Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) and surrounding dry soil was collected from a private poultry sheds located in Jahman village near Lahore. Bacteria were isolated by using enrichment techniques and screened for their proteolytic activity on skim agar. Isolated Bacteria were colonially, morphologically and biochemically characterized and named as SNC1, SNC2, SNC3, SNC4, SCH1, SCH2, SCH3 and SCH4. Results showed closed similarity of bacterial isolates with bacillus species. Effect of various media (LB-broth and Nutrient broth), pHs (7 and 8) and temperatures (4, 37, and 50℃) were recorded on bacterial growth and feather degradation. Bacterial cell densities and amount of keratin produced per gram feather weight were high at temperature 50℃ and pH 8.0. The feather degradation by bacterial isolates was confirmed at different time intervals using stereomicroscopes. The protein analysis of G. gallus domesticus feathers showed protein contents of 3.125g/100 ml. It was concluded high temperature and alkaline pH favored keratin production by bacterial consortia. Moreover, the bacterial isolates used in the current study have the potential to degrade poultry feather waste and extracted keratin is found to be promising for further exploitation of poultry waste.