HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -Keratinases belong to a class of proteases that are able to degrade keratins into amino acids. Microbial keratinases play important roles in turning keratin-containing wastes into value-added products by participating in the degradation of keratin.

Detailed explanation-2: -Keratinases (EC 3.4.-.-) are a group of hydrolytic enzymes that can catalyze the degradation of keratin. These keratinolytic enzymes are secreted by different types of microorganisms found in soil, water and on various keratin-rich sources.

Detailed explanation-3: -Keratinases have already found a purpose in pharmaceutical, textile and leather industries. However, their wider implementation in other processes, such as cost-effective (pre)treatment of poultry waste, still requires optimization of production and performance of the available enzymes.

Detailed explanation-4: -Keratin can be extracted using several methods such as chemical hydrolysis, enzymatic and microbial treatment, dissolution in ionic liquids, microwave technique, steam explosion technique and thermal hydrolysis or superheated process.