Optimization of Keratin Hydrolysate Extraction from Tannery Sheep Hair Waste

Tannery hair wastes are becoming a challenge for tanners regarding environmental pollution control and human health. In this study, an experiment had been designed to hydrolyse sheep in alkaline medium, the operational condition extraction of KH has modeled optimized. The structure, morphology, functional groups, particle size, molecular mass extracts were evaluated experimentally by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), size analysis, SDS-PAGE respectively. FTIR analysis extract confirmed presence carboxylic, amide, aldehyde groups alkyl side chains amino acids. weight extracted keratin ranges between 3–15 kDa, diffraction (XRD) showed amorphous form structure with two peaks at 2 theta 9.36° 21.16° due α -helix id="M2"> β - sheet keratin. Response surface methodology (RSM) coupled BOX-Behnken design was applied as statistical tool investigate effect time, concentration hydrolysing agent, temperature on response variable (yield protein). agent found be most significant factor affecting speed extraction, but its gradual increase tends affect protein content extract. Optimum parameters 0.5 N, 80°C, 3.5 hr obtained NaOH, temperature, respectively, maximum average yield 91.5% percentage total nitrogen 14.6% using Kjeldahl method 86.57% biuret test method.