Characterization of Keratin Degrading Alkaliphiles

Abstract

Feather which mainly contains Keratin is one of the main poultry industry wastes and at the same time with high nutritional value if converted to soluble form.  In this study, we isolated and characterized four alkaliphilic bacteria for their ability to degrade feather under alkaline conditions. Two of the isolates have been identified as Lysinibacillus spp. and both of them are growing optimally at 30 °C and pH 9.  The others were identified as Micrococcus sp. and Nocardiopsis sp. and both of them showed optimum growth at 37 °C and pH 10.5. All the isolates are promising and potential tools that could be used for keratin degradation.