Bahareh Behfar , Fatemeh Haddadi , Mohammad Reza Sharifmoghadam , Hossein Kamaladini, Masoumeh Bahreini, Azadeh Niknejad ,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (Mar-Apr 2026)
Abstract
Background: The poultry industry produces a large amount of waste, including chicken feathers, which are difficult to decompose and can cause environmental pollution. Keratinase enzymes that degrade keratin may be used in poultry waste bioremediation. The objectives were to screen keratinolytic isolates, identify them, optimize culture conditions, and measure activity.
Methods: Two keratinolytic isolates were screened from poultry waste around Mashhad, Iran. They were identified, culture conditions were optimized, and activity was measured using azokeratin and turbidity absorbance.
Results: The two isolates were identified as Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus tequilensis. The optimal conditions were pH 7.0, 37°C, and 48 h of incubation. The maximum keratinase activity was 120 U/mL and 100 U/mL, respectively.
Conclusion: The two Bacillus isolates showed potential for poultry waste bioremediation and keratinase production applicable to animal feed and cleaning products.
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