Reducing Environmental Pollutants of Chicken Feathers by Production and Biodegradation of the Chicken Feather Keratinase from Aspergillus niger and Its Role as the Anti-biofilm Activity

Keratin is a fibrous protein, which is found in different natural sources including feathers, nail, and hair. These sources cause waste to accumulate in the environment, leading to contamination. The goal of this study is to reduce environmental pollutants in chicken feathers by keratinase production from Aspergillus niger and its role as the anti-biofilm activity. In vitro, characterization of the effect on biofilm expression was measured using Congo red agar plate assay. The expression of selected three genes responsible of biofilm formation was analyzed before and after exposure to purified keratinase. The anti-biofilm of keratinase was detected in this study. The expression of selected three biofilm-related showed down regulation after exposure to purified keratinase. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect of keratinase on biofilm formation in phenotypic and genotypic levels has a potential role in safe and affordable biodegradation of keratinous waste generated by commercial poultry processing industry.