Feather degradation by Streptomyces exfoliatus CFS 1068

Abstract

Streptomyces exfoliatus CFS 1068, an isolate of crop field soil was tested for its potential to degrade native poultry feathers and to produce proteins and amino acids. The strain caused a net loss of 83 ± 0.7% in feather weight in 6 days at 28°C in shake cultures (150 rpm). The hydrolysate was found to contain 2,100 ± 36 μg ml−1 soluble proteins and 2,090 ± 21 μg ml−1 free amino acids. Supplementation of glucose in the process flasks caused an increase in release of soluble proteins (2,329 ± 34 μg ml−1) and free amino acids (2,727 ± 32 μg ml−1) from feathers. The feather hydrolysate was found to contain six essential amino acids, i.e., arginine, lysine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine and valine. Thus, the strain is of biotechnological importance for management of feather waste.