Abstract
INTRODUCTIONTHE keratin proteins have generally been considered to be of little nutritive value because of their chemical structure which makes them insoluble and poorly digestible. Early attempts to use powdered sources of keratin as dietary protein were only slightly successful even when amino acid supplements were provided to offset the deficiencies of these proteins. Routh (1942) reported that powdered chicken feathers, as the sole source of protein for rats, were capable of supporting a moderate growth rate only when supplemented by tryptophan, methionine, histidine and lysine. Balance experiments conducted by Mangold and Dubski (1930) failed to show any digestion of white goose feathers by cats and owls. Thus it appeared that native feather keratin was not only seriously deficient in certain amino acids but was also poorly digestible.The development by Binkley and Vasak (1950) of a method for processing feathers into a friable, high density meal stimulated new…
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
