Chicken Feathers Waste Management by Microbial as a Sustainable and Tool Environmental Friendly

Valorizing chicken feather agro-wastes nowadays is imperative, if these wastes are disposed of without treatment, they could contribute to environmental problems. Conventional methods of processing chicken feathers such as landfilling, chemical treatment and burning are costly, non-time consumable and are toxic to the environment. Microbial hydrolysis, on the contrary, is now considered the main environmental-friendly recycling alternative. Hence, the aim of this study is to isolate keratinolytic bacteria with efficient feather hydrolysis, to optimize some of the physical parameters that could affect both bacterial growth and consequently its degrading ability. Results demonstrated an efficient feather degrading ability of newly identified Bacillus sp. D4 strain isolated from chicken feathers under optimal mesophilic temperature 37°C, pH 8.0 and 106 CFU/mL cell size inoculum, interpreted by highest keratin activity (55.0 ± 1.35 U/mL) and (54.3 ± 1.5 U/mL) respectively and higher total protein content in the cell free supernatant of 0.65 mg/mL. Beyond these parameters values, a moderate enzyme activity was observed at 40°C (35.1 ± 2 U/mL), 25°C (30.1 ± 2 U/mL), similarly at the initial pH 7.5 (52.3 ± 2 U/mL), pH 9.0 (49.0 ± 1.2 U/mL) and pH 10.0 (38.2 ± 1.35 U/mL). Bacillus sp. D4, on the other hand, was not able to tolerate high alkaline pH value 11.0 nor acidic pH 4.0 and 5.0 and high temperature of 55°C, correspondingly low enzyme activity was noted (19.0 ± 1 U/mL).

Extraction of Keratin Protein from Chicken Feather

The present research was conducted to extract keratin protein from chicken feathers. Protein is an important nutrient needed by our body to maintain body structures and is an important ingredient for cosmetic products. Chicken feathers have high level of keratin protein content and can become a suitable protein source. The main processes involved are first dissolving chicken feathers using different reducing agents and later on separating the protein from chemicals. Reducing agents used are potassium cyanide, thioglycolic acid and sodium sulphide. Once the feathers are dissolved using reducing agents, ammonium sulfate solution is added to the solution for the precipitation of protein. The precipitated protein is washed with water several times and sodium hydroxide solution is used to obtain protein back in the solution form. Out of three different reducing agents used, sodium sulfide gives the highest efficiency in dissolving chicken feathers since the feathers are dissolved in a very short period of time. The percentage of keratin protein is evaluated by means of biuret test and FTIR analysis. The analysis by FTIR confirmed the presence of carboxyl acid and amino groups in the protein solution. The biuret test helps in determining the concentration of protein obtained from different methods. Thus these two tests confirm the presence of protein in the solution. From this research, it can be concluded that protein can be extracted from chicken feathers. The keratin protein solution can be used for several purposes such as anti-aging cream, shampoo, and conditioner and for medical purposes such as bone replacement and bone graft.

Selection Progress of Wannan Native Chicken's Fast and Slow Feathering Lines

[Objective]This experiment aimed to establish fast and slow feathering lines from purified and rejuvenated core breeding flock. [Method] Individual and family selection were used for continuous selection from zero to the second generation. [Result]The results showed that in the fast feathering line,the average weight gain was improved by 108. 34 g per generation in roosters at the age of 20 weeks while a 54. 5 g increase was got per generation in hens. Hen housed egg production was increased from 150 to 170 at the age of 66 weeks,and the healthy rate of chicken flock was raised by 0. 7 percent. In the slow feathering line,the average weight gain was increased by 156. 6g per generation in roosters while a 38. 9 g increase was got per generation in hens,and the hen housed egg production was increased from 158 to 179 at the age of 66 weeks. [Conclusion] This research had a great significance in increasing native chicken＇s production performance and developing its market competitiveness.

Effects of wollastonite nanofibers on fluid flow in medium-density fiberboard

We studied the effect of wollastonite nanofibers on fluid flow in medium-density fiberboard （MDF）. Nanowollastonite （NW） was applied in MDF at 10 %, based on the dry weight of wood fibers. We also tested chicken feathers as an additive to the matrix at 5 and 10 % by weight. The weight of feathers was reduced from the wood fibers to keep the density of the panels constant （0.66 g cm-3）. Wollastonite nanofibers acted as filler in the matrix and significantly decreased gas and liquid perme- ability. Higher thermal conductivity of the N-W-treated MDF-mats resulted in a better cure of resin, and conse- quently more integrity in the composite-matrix and lower permeability. The water-repellant property of wollastonite also contributed to the decrease in liquid permeability. Feathers reduced gas and liquid permeability due to the hydrophobic nature of keratin, as well as its formation as a physical barrier towards passing of fluids. Ten percent feather content proved too high and some checks and cracks occurred in the core of the panels after hot-pressing. Panels with 5 %-feather content resulted in both lower fluid flow and adequate physical integrity in the core sec- tion of the MDF-matrix.

Recovery of metallic oxide rich biochar from waste chicken feather

Over the years,the devastating impact of climate change has become pronounced due to inadequate regulation for waste disposal in a developing country like Nigeria.The chicken feather-based metal oxide-rich(MOR)biochar was produced using a top-lit updraft reactor at a peak temperature of 417.2℃to give a yield of 28.19%.The results were analyzed using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller BET,Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy(EDS),and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy(XRF).The result shows that the sample is mesoporous(pore diameter of 2.132 nm)with a BET surface area of 105.7 m^(2)/g.CaO(33.147 wt%)and SO_(3)(25.673 wt%)were the major oxides present in notable proportions on the material surface,which were evident in the SEM micrograph.The major elemental compositions of the raw sample were oxygen(36.917 wt%)and calcium(23.690 wt%),and the major minerals present were quartz,marialite,davyne,and graphite.The present study elucidates the successful and efficient material recovery route for the preparation of adsorbents and precursors for many product synthesis processes.

Hybrid Bio-based Composites from Waste Chicken Feather and Betel Nut Fiber: A Study on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties

The present work is an attempt to develop bio-based hybrid composites by incorporating Betel nut Fiber(BF)and Chicken feather Fiber(CF)at different ratios in modified soybean oil matrix by compression molding technique.The ratio of the fiber and resin was taken as 30:70.Epoxidised soybean oil(ESO)was modified by using methacrylic acid and methacrylic anhydride.The ratio of CF and BF was varied from 2:1 to 1:2 respectively.The influence of hybrid fibers and fiber ratio on various properties of the composites was investigated.The obtained results showed that composites prepared with 1:1 ratio of CF and BF exhibited highest tensile strength compared to the other composites prepared by using different ratios of CF and BF.The surface morphology of the composites was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),where surface roughness was found to be decreased after incorporation of hybrid fibers.Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to study the behaviour of the composites at high temperature,where thermal stability was found to enhance for hybrid composites compared to the composites prepared with single fibers.Also properties like water vapour uptake capacity and volumetric swelling were measured and found to be decreased for the hybrid composites.An overall improvement in properties was observed for composites having 1:1 ratio of CF:BF.Hence,it is concluded that 1:1 weight ratio of CF and BF is the optimum mixing ratio to enhance the various properties of the hybrid composites.