Feather Degradation by Keratinolytic Bacteria: A Step Toward Sustainable Poultry Waste Recycling

Abstract

The global poultry industry, a significant contributor to agricultural growth, is rapidly expanding to meet increasing consumer demand. However, this growth is accompanied by challenges in waste management and bio-safety. Poultry feed, litter, and water act as reservoirs for bacterial proliferation, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance and environmental contamination. This study identifies and characterizes bacterial pathogens isolated from poultry farm  feed, water, and litter collected from various locations. The focus is on keratinolytic bacteria capable of degrading keratin, a resilient protein abundant in poultry waste, particularly feathers. Isolates, including Xanthomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis, were evaluated for their keratinophilic activity using serial dilution techniques, alongside morphological, microscopic, and biochemical assessments. The findings underscore the role of bacterial keratinases in efficient keratin degradation, offering eco-friendly solutions for converting waste into value- added products such as bio-fertilizers and animal feed. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable poultry waste management practices to mitigate environmental pollution and public health risks.