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A Review: Valorization of Keratinous Materials

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present work was to discuss the current state-of-the-art in the methods of utilization of keratinous materials. Various approaches were discussed—thermal, physical, chemical and biological.

Results

Keratinous wastes can be used as the feedstock, however processing is required to valorize the waste. Among the processing methods, several hydrolytic technologies can be mentioned: hydrothermal methods, enzymatic hydrolysis, bioconversion. Chemical hydrolysis requires the step of neutralization and some nutritive amino acids are lost. Among hydrothermal methods which require high temperature and pressure conditions, acidic hydrolysis assures more complete degradation of keratin than basic. The obtained product can be used as low-quality livestock feed. Another method to obtain solubilized keratin is degradation by lime. More advantageous are enzymatic and bioconversion methods which assure milder conditions and preserve nutritional properties of the produced meal.

Conclusions

The hydrolyzate can be used as the source of amino acids and peptides in the production of feeds and fertilizers.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education—project nr N N204 019135, NR05-0008-06/2009, NR05-0014-10/2010.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Inorganic Technology and Mineral Fertilizers, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław, Poland

    Katarzyna Chojnacka, Helena Górecka, Izabela Michalak & Henryk Górecki

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  1. Katarzyna Chojnacka
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  2. Helena Górecka
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  3. Izabela Michalak
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Correspondence to Katarzyna Chojnacka.

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Chojnacka, K., Górecka, H., Michalak, I. et al. A Review: Valorization of Keratinous Materials. Waste Biomass Valor 2, 317–321 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-011-9074-6

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