Isolation, identification and characterization of feather degrading bacteria

The present study deals with isolation, identification and characterization of feather degrading bacterium. The keratinolytic bacteria were isolated from feather dumped soil. The colonies showed higher keratinase production was identified as Bacillius sp, as per Bergey’s manual method. Keratinase producing Bacillus sp, showed higher enzymes production. The crude filtrate showed specific activity of (>2.825)IU/mg and the protein of 4 mg/ml. Bacillus sp, produced keratinase at the pH 7 – 7.5 at the temperature of 40°C 2% feather meal as a substrate and incubation time of 96 hrs respectively which indicated that the crude keratinase enzyme produce by Bacillus sp was classified as an alkaline protease. The protein profile of Bacillus sp was analyzed in SDS – PAGE. It showed that the presence of single band which corresponds to keratinase activity. FTIR Fourier Transform Infra red Spectroscopy showed that the change in the functional group was catalyzed by unique enzymes of Bacillus sp. The keratin degrading gene sequence of isolated Bacillus sp, was analysed further studies.