OPTIMIZATION OF BIODEGRADATION CONDITIONS OF CHICKEN FEATHER BY NEWLY ISOLATED KERATINASE PRODUCING Lysinibacillus spp STRAIN KIK1

Abstract

Chicken processing companies are known to produce feathers in large quantities such that they pose environmental concern. Keratinolytic bacteria that utilizes keratinase to biodegrade feather are known to reduce the environmental menace. Lysinibacillus spp strain KIK1 was isolated from feather dumping site and used to assess their potential. Optimization of biodegradation condition was carried out utilizing one factor at a time (OFAT) methodology. Feather biodegradation was achieved after 48 hours incubation. Four (4) parameters including Feather as carbon source (substrate), Yeast extract as nitrogen source, pH and inoculum size were optimized. Feather concentration was optimum at 3 g, Yeast Extract 0.3 g, pH 7 and inoculum size 10%. The bacteria were observed to degrade 96% of 3 g feather under optimized condition. Bacterial growth and keratinase activity was recorded at 3.85 OD_600nm and 1.73 µ/ml respectively which the highest were obtained. Lysinibacillus spp strain KIK1 illustrated good feather biodegradation potential after optimization.