Production of keratinolytic enzymes from industrial wastes for employing in leather industry

Abstract

The use of chicken feather waste as a substrate for the production of keratinolytic enzyme blend has a potential to generate value-added products. In this study, Six fungal isolates were screened for this purpose. Trichoderma viride showed the highest keratinase activity (69 U ml^-1) at 5-day incubation period. Three other proteolytic enzymes along with α-keratinase were produced in the medium, alkaline, neutral and acidic proteases enzymes. The alkaline protease showed the highest activity (2453 Anison unit) with weak collagenase activity. Partial purification of crude enzyme showed a purification fold of keratinase enzyme reached 5.99 times with 37% protein recovery at 80% ammonium sulphate saturation using bulk precipitation technique. By applying this fraction on hide specimen it was cleared that it was the most proper for unhairing process.