Production of Liquid Fertilizer from Chicken Feather Waste by Using Subcritical Water Treatment for Plant and Algal Growth

Abstract

Chicken is one of the most popular protein sources for majority of the population, and million tons of chicken feathers waste are generated every year in Malaysia. However, it is a potential renewable source because feather is rich in keratin proteins and amino acids. In this study, the chicken feather was hydrolyzed into high value-added organic fertilizers by subcritical water (SCW) technology, and the effect of the SCW organic liquid fertilizer were investigated on the growth of spinach plant and red algae Galdieria sulphuraria. The resulted SCW liquid fertilizer contained 34,200 mg/L of nitrogen and 1,380 mg/L of phosphorus. The agronomic parameters of the spinach plants supplied with SCW liquid fertilizer and commercial fertilizer grew better compared to control plants. G.sulphuraria growth in 2x Allen's medium with addition of SCW liquid fertilizer, glucose and peptone, respectively was indicated by OD at 750 nm using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Thus, the utilization of SCW liquid fertilizer affecting the growth of spinach plants and G.sulphuraria are possibly eco-friendly approach in poultry waste treatments.