Abstract
To determine the optimal ratio of feather to water, the properties affecting mixing and the digestibility of feather were considered. All treatments with 1:1 feather: water ratio were unsuitable for mechanical mixing, although treatments with 1:2 and 1:3 feather: water ratio proved satisfactory regarding agitation. Large-scale applicability of treatments was decided upon the extent of digestion based on the measured extinction values. The determination of optimal bacillus: feather ratio aimed at defining the minimal amount of inoculating bacterium which allows effective digestion of keratin and cost-effectiveness. It could be stated that the proliferation of the bacteria results in the decrease of pH. The most significant pH decrease was observed at 5% bacillus: feather ratio. The amount of necessary phosphate-buffer also increased, which is an unfavorable change concerning cost-effectiveness. The degree of feather digestion showed no significant differences in the treatments of 1 and 3% bacillus: feather ratio, so we recommend the application of 1% bacillus: feather ratio under industrial-scale circumstances with respect to materialand cost-saving concerns. Based on the experimental results it can be concluded that the treatment of 1% bacillus: feather ratio and 1:3 feather: water ratio is optimal for industrial-scale application with regard to material- and cost-saving, as well as biodegradability concerns.
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