The aim of the present study was to isolate and screen keratinase producing bacteria from poultry waste dumping sites of Himachal Pradesh that can be used to degrade chicken feathers. The poultry farming industry creates millions of tons of chicken feathers each year, which are the primary source of protein waste and environmental pollution. Thirty poultry waste soil samples were collected from the different areas of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 64 bacterial isolates were obtained from different poultry waste soil samples. These isolates were primarily screened for proteases activities on skimmed milk agar plates. Out of 64, 17 isolates showed proteolytic activity. All 17 isolates were, further, screened and confirmed to possess the keratinolytic activity on feather basal medium. The test showed almost complete degradation of feathers within 15 days. Four bacterial isolates which have potential of keratinase activity were characterized and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results of molecular characterization revel that all four isolates belong to Bacillus genera. Isolates TP1, JP1, and PP1 were identified as Bacillus cereus, whereas isolate VP4 was confirmed as Bacillus thuringiensis.
Key words: Poultry waste, keratinase, feather degradation, Keratinolytic bacteria, 16S rRNA sequencing
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