Isolation and Screening of a Feather-Degrading Keratinolytic Actinomycetes from Actinomyces sp

The Actinomycetes comprise a ubiquitous order of bacteria which exhibits wide physiological and morphological diversity. These microorganisms are particularly abundant in alkaline soils rich in organic matter. Keratin is an insoluble structural protein of skin, and its derivatives (e.g. feather, hair, wool and horn) are known for their high stability. Actinomycetes producing keratinases are having high applications in feed, fertilizer, leather and also for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Actinomyces species newly isolated, thermo tolerant feather degrading bacterial strain was investigated for its ability to produce keratinase enzyme. Maximum keratinolytic activity was observed at 28°C and pH 7.5. Keratin-containing materials (feather, hair, wool, etc.) are abundant in nature but have limited uses in practice since they are insoluble and resistant to degradation by the common proteolytic enzymes. Keratinous wastes represent a source of valuable proteins and amino acids and could find application as a fodder additive for animals or source of nitrogen for plants. Actinomycetes have the ability to break down many different varieties of organic compounds. The keratinase production by the thermophilic actinomycete strain Actinomyces was induced by chick feather as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen in the cultivation medium and characterization studies were carried out for the identification of the specific strain. [Journal of American Science. 2010;6(12):45-48]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).