Isolation And Molecular Identification Of Keratin Degrading Novel Bacteria Bacillus Licheniformis Strain Cfmsrnr 5

Abstract

In the present study, keratin-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from feather disposal sites near poultry farms in Hyderabad, Telangana, using an enrichment-based culture approach. Soil samples were inoculated into mineral salts medium (MSM) containing 1% sterilized chicken feathers as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. After enrichment, five distinct bacterial isolates (I1 to I5) were obtained through serial dilution and spread plating. Among them, Isolate 5 demonstrated the highest feather degradation efficiency, reaching 86% degradation by Day 7. Quantitative assays confirmed Isolate 5 exhibited maximum keratinase activity (38 U/mL), along with elevated protein (4.5 mg/mL) and amino acid (360 µg/mL) yields, highlighting its superior feather hydrolysis potential. Morphological characterization revealed that Isolate 5 was a Gram-positive, spore-forming, capsulated rod, consistent with the Bacillus genus. Biochemical analysis supported its metabolic versatility, showing positive results for indole production, citrate utilization, catalase activity, and H₂S production. Molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its identity as Bacillus licheniformis CFMSRNR 5, with strong phylogenetic clustering to related strains. These findings establish B. licheniformis CFMSRNR 5 as a promising candidate for bioconversion of keratin waste into value-added products for biofertilizer and sustainable biotechnological applications.