extraction of keratin its abstract

1. Keratin
Abstract: The present research was conducted to extract keratin protein
from chicken feathers. Protein is an important nutrient needed
by our body to maintain body structures and is an important ingredient
for cosmetic products. Chicken feathers have high level of
keratin protein content and can become a suitable protein source. The
main processes involved are first dissolving chicken feathers
using different reducing agents and later on separating the protein from
chemicals. Reducing agents used are potassium cyanide,
thioglycolic acid and sodium sulphide. Once the feathers are dissolved
using reducing agents, ammonium sulfate solution is added to
the solution for the precipitation of protein. The precipitated protein is
washed with water several times and sodium hydroxide solution
is used to obtain protein back in the solution form. Out of three different
reducing agents used, sodium sulfide gives the highest
efficiency in dissolving chicken feathers since the feathers are dissolved
in a very short period of time. The percentage of keratin protein
is evaluated by means of biuret test and FTIR analysis. The analysis by
FTIR confirmed the presence of carboxyl acid and amino groups
in the protein solution. The biuret test helps in determining the
concentration of protein obtained from different methods. Thus these
two tests confirm the presence of protein in the solution. From this
research, it can be concluded that protein can be extracted from
chicken feathers. The keratin protein solution can be used for several
purposes such as anti-aging cream, shampoo, and conditioner and
for medical purposes such as bone replacement and bone graft.