UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Feather waste is generated abundantly but rich in natural protein which largely contributes to environmental pollution. The present study reports potent feather-degrading bacteria isolated from poultry waste-contaminated soil. A novel isolated bacterium was identified as Bacillus tropicus (Accession Number MT075474; Strain Number KS3). The medium components and culture conditions were optimized to enhance keratinase production through shake flask culture by one factor at a time (OFAT). In chicken feather meal (5 g/l) media highest keratinase production was shown when pomegranate peel powder (5 g/l) was used as a carbon source and peptone (5 g/l) as a nitrogen source. Pomegranate peel powder is very, low cost, and easily available. After optimization, the maximum yield of keratinase was found at 24 h of incubation and at 37 °C with pH of 6.5 and inoculums volume 4.5% under 150 rpm when chicken feather, peptone, and pomegranate peel powder were used as nutrient sources. This study reveals that higher keratinase production under OFAT conditions is 107.06 U/ml that shows 3.0-fold increased when all optimized parameters were applied simultaneously. Therefore, Bacillus tropicus KS3 is used for large-scale production of keratinase for industrial purposes in less time.