Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of pre-treatment of chicken feather on the degradation potential of Glutamicibacter arilaitensis

M. Chellapackialakshmi, A. Packialakshmi and C. Ravi*      

Department of Zoology, Thiagarajar College, Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai–625 009, India

Received: 29 December 2023                   Revised: 02 February 2024                   Accepted: 13 February 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : ravi_cyril@yahoo.co.in                                *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4668-2508

Abstract

Aim: Conventional management techniques for chicken feather waste are either ineffecient or costly; hence, as an alternative, a study was designed to examine the degradation capacity of G. arilaitensis on acidic and alkaline pre-treated feathers.

Methodology: Chicken feathers were pre-treated with 0.1 and 0.2 N HCl and NaOH, which were provided as the only carbon source for Glutamicibacter arilaitensis culture. Parameters such as growth, protein and amino acid content were determined at an interval of 24 hrs for five days. The impact of pH and temperature on the growth of G. arilaitensis was investigated and the degree of degradation was determined by smear method. The effect of temperature and pH on the synthesis of protein and amino acid was screened statistically using a central composite design.

Results: The pre-treatment category with 0.1 N NaOH showed significant degradation and evidenced by the disruption of feather structure, within two days at 37^°C and pH 10.5 respectively. Maximum protein (1.81±0.03 mg ml^-1) and amino acid (1.54±0.3mg ml^-1) were produced in 0.1 N NaOH pre-treated feathers substituted medium for two days at 37°C  and pH 10.5 and it were found to be statistically significant at F values of 15.48 and 12.98 (P<0.0012 and P<0.0309).

Interpretation: Feathers will decompose wonderfully if they are pre-treated with 0.1 N NaOH for two days and supplied as a substrate for G. arilaitensis at 37^°C and pH 10.5.

Key words: Degradation, Keratinolytic bacteria, Pre-treatment, Protein production

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