Keratinase of microorganisms: production and biotechnology application

Abstract

The increase concern about the environment and the search for clean technologies has stimulated the isolation and study of microorganism’s producer’s keratinase (SINGH, 1999). As properties of theses enzymes seem to differ according of the producer microorganism, is important isolated and select microorganisms that produce keratinolytic enzymes more resistant, stables and specific to be applied in various industrial process (RIESSEN and ANTRANIKIAN 2001, FARAG and HASSAN, 2004). The industrial microbiology laboratory has a collection of 16 microorganisms, which many are not identified and studied, but initial tests showed a large biotechnological potential. One of the strains showed great potential for degradation of chicken feathers, suggesting the possibility of using material obtained, which is rich in amino acids for feathers nutrition. One of the strains identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens showed great potential for chicken feathers degradation, suggesting the possibility of using the material obtained, which is rich in amino acids as a supplement in feed for chickens, thus adding value to this by-product. The main objective of this project is develop technology for degradation of chicken feathers by the organism identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and evaluate the use of the product as a supplement in feed for chickens. As a secondary objective, the physical and chemical stability of keratinase synthesized by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and biotechnological application in other industrial processes (leather and cosmetics) will be verified. (AU)