Degradation of native feathers by a novel keratinase-producing, thermophilic isolate, Brevibacillus thermoruber T1E.

Keratinases are currently gaining importance in biotechnology. The growing number of their applications stem from their ability to act on highly rigid and cross-linked polypeptides, even in insoluble form. The application of keratinolytic proteases in pre-tanning and dehairing steps fur-nishes a more effective and more environmentally friendly technology for the leather industry. Such enzymes are also used for the production of de-tergents, biodegradable fi lms, coatings and glues. Furthermore, through the utilization of kerati-nases, the decomposition of casein, gelatin, colla-gen, wool, silk and also feathers can be achieved (Gupta and Rammani, 2006).The poultry feathers generated as by-product in millions of tons per year worldwide are gen-erally composted, incinerated or converted to feather meal during energy-consuming treatment (Cao