Biological Degradation of feather Keratin
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A total of 165 bacteria were isolated Ii'om samples collected Ii'om Mojo TannelY and Abijata
Lake, and 17% were found to possess feather-degrading capacity. Two best keratinolytic strains
were selected Ii'om the 28 feather degrading isolates and tentatively identified as Bacillus lentilS
strain Kr-07 and Streptomyces sp. strain Kr-43. The optimal growth period, pH and temperature
for the two strains were 96h, 7.5 and 37"C respectively. The proteases of Bacillus lentils strain
Kr-07 and Streptomyces sp. strain Kr-43 were inhibited by PMSF and by EDTA indicating that
they are serine-type and metallo-type proteases respectively. Protease kr-07 displayed its optimal
activity at a temperature of 35°C and at a pH on.5, while protease kr-43 at a temperature of 40°C
and at a pH of7.5.In the presence of 5mMCaChprotease Kr-07 showed optimal activity at 45°C
at the optimal pH, while protease Kr-43 exhibited optimal activity at 55°C at its optimal pH.
Protease Kr-43 displayed 85.3% relative activity at 4°C indicating that it is cold active protease
and hence it could have potential application in the detergent industries, especially in cold areas.
The strains can utilize feather, fish wastes, and hom wastes. Therefore, they could be potentially
important in the development of waste treatment methods in the biotechnological industries
involved in the processing ofkeratinacious wastes.
Key words: Keratin, Keratinolytic bacteria, Protease, Keratinase, and Degradation.
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Keywords
Keratin, Keratinolytic bacteria, Protease,, Keratinase, Degradation