Synthesis of Feather Concentrate from Broiler Feather Waste using Different Chemical Hydrolysis Process and Effect on Its Properties

Feather waste, a resultant of livestock industry, has annually increased, but its existence has not been optimally utilized. Production of feather concentrate (Fc) is regarded a beneficial application to minimze the waste. The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of NaOH and HCl as a hydrolyzing agent in Fc preparation. The results showed that microstructural changes occurred in filament molecules in keratin protein as exhibited in T₀ and T₁ treatments. Keratin molecules underwent denaturation and degradation, resulting in molecular changes of their structure. After hydrolysis reaction, in-vitro protein digestibility was increased and the highest digestibility value was achieved at T₁ treatment (21.76%). The treatments showed no significant effects on Fc yield compared to the control, with exception of T₃ treatment. Yield could indicate the preparation efficiency, in which the value seemed to decrease a result of denaturation. The relative protein content was not different from the control (T₀) especially on the T₁ and T₂ treatments showed no significant effects on relative protein content compared to control T₀. The highest pH of product (9.76) was attributed to T1 treatment using NaOH, while the lowest pH was found at HCl. Different types of hydrolysis process showed significant effects (p<0.05) on in-vitro digestibility of protein, yield and protein content. Application of NaOH (T₁) is the best treatment compared to T₂, T₃ and T₀.