Efficient isolation of keratin from protein-rich waste biomass: a practical approach to minimize environmental impact and valorize waste biomass

Abstract Among various protein-containing biomass wastes, waste animal wool, poultry feather, and human hair are considered one of the most important renewable sources keratin. Animal wool utilized for production several products. However, substantial quantity short fibers that inappropriate spinning being unusable is thrown away as resulting in significant environmental issues terms their accumulation water bodies obstruction waterways other related problems. Similarly, especially chicken feathers (WCF) dumped or burnt used low-value fertilizer certain applications. The purpose this research to develop an efficient method can extract recoverable keratin from wastes effectively utilize spent solvent extraction process. Herein suitability aqueous solution quaternary ammonium hydroxide known tetramethyl (TMAOH, 25% w/w water) solubilize these protein them was investigated. could ca. 39–44% (WAW), 19–25% (WHH), 55–60% WCF. Crude with 19–20%, 35–37%, 69–74% were isolated WAW, WHH, WCF, respectively. chemical structural stability thus established. recovered TMAOH, insoluble WCF found be nontoxic soil microbes. TMAOH generated after isolation green gram ( Vigna radiata ) seed treatment, a increase height (4–12%) weight (9–58%) plants observed. Treating source high-value compounds may minimize impact by reducing load.