Abstract
The disposal of chicken feather through burning or burying is not environmentally compliant due to the accompanying release of greenhouse gas and underground water contamination. Thus, the transformation of this bio-waste into a bio-composite film is considered not only a sustainable strategy for disposal of this solid wastes but also an attractive alternative to developing an efficient nanostructured biomaterial from renewable bio resource. In the present study keratin extracted from chicken feather waste in combination with ginger starch were fabricated into a bio-composite film. The fabricated bio-composite films were characterized, using different analytical techniques. The physicochemical characteristics of ginger starch showed a moisture content of 33.8%, pH of 6.21, amylose and amylopectin contents of 39.1% and 60.9%, respectively. The hydration capacity of the starch was 132.2% while its gelatinization temperature was 65.7 °C. Physical attributes of the bio-composite film, such as surface smoothness and tensile strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing keratin content, while its transparency and solubility showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease with increasing keratin level. The various blends of the bio-composite films decayed by over 50% of the original mass after 12 days of complete burial in soil. Based on the results obtained in this study, the addition of keratin to starch bio-composite showed remarkable improvement in mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and surface smoothness. The bio-composite film exhibited appropriate stability in water, although future study should be carried out to evaluate its thermal stability. Nonetheless, the fabricated keratin-starch bio-composite showed desirable characteristics that could be optimized for industrial applications.
Highlights
The disposal of chicken feather through burning or burying is not environmentally compliant due to the accompanying release of greenhouse gas and underground water contamination
The synthesis of keratin microparticles from chicken feathers using sodium hydroxide was demonstrated by Sharma et al and more recently, keratin solution was prepared from chicken feather for the fabrication of keratin-based bio-plastic using chemical method by Alashwal et al.[15]
The present study demonstrated the successful fabrication of thin, homogenous, yellow flexible films from varying combinations of ginger starch and chicken feather keratin
Summary
The disposal of chicken feather through burning or burying is not environmentally compliant due to the accompanying release of greenhouse gas and underground water contamination. In the present study keratin extracted from chicken feather waste in combination with ginger starch were fabricated into a bio-composite film. Based on the results obtained in this study, the addition of keratin to starch bio-composite showed remarkable improvement in mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and surface smoothness. There is renewed research attention focusing on the fabrication of composite materials from biopolymers Natural polymers such as proteins and polysaccharides have been reported to exhibit film-forming properties[3,4,5]. By focusing on the physical and chemical structures and properties of feather keratin, researchers might be able to develop some economically feasible applications for the increasingly large amount of chicken feather waste generated daily[13,14]. The synthesis of keratin microparticles from chicken feathers using sodium hydroxide was demonstrated by Sharma et al and more recently, keratin solution was prepared from chicken feather for the fabrication of keratin-based bio-plastic using chemical method by Alashwal et al.[15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
