Screening of Keratinolytic Fungi for Biodegradation Agent of Keratin from Chicken Feather Waste

Abstract

Chicken feathers waste are an abundant source of keratin protein. However, keratin contained in chicken feather waste is difficult to degrade so that its utilization becomes limited. Environmentally friendly degradation efforts require keratin proteases in addition to common proteases. Therefore, microorganisms that effectively degrade keratin are needed to recycle the waste. This study aims to isolate and screen fungi that was capable of degrading chicken feather keratin. Isolate with the highest degradation activity index for hydrolyzing chicken feather flour and common protein substrate was selected as an agent for chicken feather keratin biodegradation. The identification was carried out phenotypically and molecularly with phylogenetic analysis of the region gene sequences. The results of the study found Talaromyces sayulitensis GF11 as a candidate for chicken feather keratin biodegradation agent. It is a new strain of keratinolytic fungi which was first published.