ABSTRACT

 Keratinases are well-recognized enzymes with the singular power of taking down the recalcitrant structural proteins such as keratin. Their prospective in bio-waste management of feather waste has been well recogni7ed. The ability of soil microorganisms isolated from poultry farm soil to * degrade keratin was investigated in this study. A total of twelve (12) morphological distinct colonies were selected from eight (8) samples of soil in the serial dilution method. Among the twelve (12) tested isolates, two (2) were found as keratinase producers on the bases of their clear zones formation on milk agar. During the secondary screening of the potent isolates, it was found that the range of keratinase production was 3.5jt/ml and 6.8t/inI for Athrobacter and Bacillus spp respectively. Keratinase enzyme activity was optimized with respect to p1-I and incubation period. The effect of incubation period for keratinse production from Arthrobacter spp and Bacillus spp was studied for the incubation period from 24 to 72h. It was observed that the maximum enzyme production was attained after 48 h of incubation period. The effect of pH on keratinase production from Arthrobacter spp and Bacillus spp was studied for the range of pH 4.0 to pH 8.0. Increase in the enzyme production from pH 4 towards pH 7 was observed and maximum enzyme production from the isolates was attained at pH 7.pH beyond the optimum showed a gradual decrease in the enzyme yield, as compared to maximum (11.2 U/mi and 13.2 U/nil) at pH 7. On the basis of data obtained in present work it can be concluded that Actinomycetes sp can be employed in the production of Keratinase The degradation of feathers with Keratinolytic Actinomycetes sp is the best ecofriendly approach in the poultry feather waste management