Poultry feather disulphide bond breakdown to enable bio-based polymer production

With oil supplies, needed for plastic production, decreasing dramatically, there is a clear driver alterative polymers from sustainable resources. Poultry feathers, containing ?90% keratin, are one source of natural polymer with huge potential biopolymer production. However, the presence crosslinks, known as disulphide bonds, hinders processability. This paper reviews techniques to enable breakage bonds through use reduction agents (sodium sulphite and sodium sulphate) hydrolysis. Samples were analysed using FTIR DSC quantify achievable bond breakage, effect on thermal properties changes in protein concentration. A review particle size was also conducted, along quantifying reformation post-processing. Finally, bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay used soluble content, key predicting if formation can occur. The results showed final between 48% 67% these techniques. It shown that content exhibited up 60% post treatment. These reductions increased thermoplastic nature apparent content. Despite achieving highest percentage, hydrolysis caused degradation useful proteins, rendering material unsuitable Results suggested treatment (4.3% wt. feathers) small (0–100 µm), sufficiently altered raw feathers feather