DEGRADATION OF KERATIN SUBSTRATE BY MICROORGANISMS: A REVIEW

Keratin is an insoluble proteins present inthe epidermis and important composition of feather, hair, wool, nail, hoofand horns.Keratin is important composition and provide strength to the keratinous substrate.In the environment, feather, hair, wool, nail, hoof and horns are considered as waste material and are major causes of environmental pollution.Keratin is also found in products of agro-industrial processing, dairy industry, poultry farms and slaughterhouses.These keratinous waste are structurally stable and very hard to degrade.The keratinous waste can be managed by biological degradation.Microbial keratinase present in some species of bacteria and fungi is best for the degradation of keratin waste in natural condition.The present review paper explains keratinolytic microorganisms and their keratinase for the biological degradation of keratin waste.