Abstract

Potentiality of Bacillus weihenstephanensis PKD5 Keratinase for Eco-Friendly Dehairing of Skins and Hide

Author(s): Dipak Kumar S, Suman Kumar H, Hrudayanath T and Pradeep Kumar DM

Comparative dehairing efficiency of Na2S (1.5%), CaO (1.5%) and crude keratinase (15.3 U/ml) of Bacillus weihenstephanensis PKD5 was investigated in single and in combination on cow hide, goat and sheep skin. Complete dehairing was achieved by treatment with Na2S, CaO with Na2S, Na2S with crude keratinase and crude keratinase after 2, 2, 2 and 10 h respectively. Among all the treatments, the enzyme treated skin/hide was comparatively more white, smooth and shiny due to release of intact hair with follicle from skin/hide. Though chemical(s) and combination of chemical with enzyme dehair the skin/hide in relatively less time but the enzymatic dehairing improved the leather quality. So, the keratinase is produced using low cost poultry feather which can be employed for dehairing that is sustainable and potential to replace the chemical dehairing in leather industries.