BIOCONVERSION OF RECALCITRANT KERATIN RICH WASTES: A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A robust, sound, and comprehensive waste management system is a fundamental aspect to achieve environmental sustainability and development. Though as individuals, people are aware and conscious of this particular aspect of waste management, there have not been any concrete steps taken to tackle the issue. As per a statistical report from World Bank on waste, about 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste is generated annually at a global scale out of which about one-third of it is not managed in an environmentally safe manner. Keeping in mind the UN General Assembly goals with respect to sustainable development for the benefit of all by 2030, it is imperative to act in ways to manage and come out with ways to treat solid waste in particular. Keratin is a key structural protein that can be found in a variety of forms in nature, including hair, feathers, nails, horn, hoofs, scales, and wool. It is also found in several hard tissues that protect the organ by providing blockage with the surroundings. Keratin, a protein, fibrous in nature has solubility issues. Keratin is tolerant towards protease enzymes like pepsin, and trypsin is due to its structure, which is protected by bonds such as disulfide and hydrogen. The waste consisting of keratinous residues, like feathers, provides carbon, nitrogen, and Sulphur source that are transformable to certain products. Keratin-rich waste possesses a high content of amino acids and, if not correctly managed, can harm the environment, water supplies, and soil. This form of waste, on the other hand, can be used for less-cost amino acid sources, can be turned into animal feeds, or used as a fertilizer. This necessitates a thorough understanding of feather structure and properties. Feathers are composed of β-keratin and melanin pigments. In addition, to strategize their control and degradation, there is a necessity to differentiate α-keratin from β-keratin. The present article summarizes the various methods of waste treatment of compounds possessing keratin, limitations of conventional methods, ecological implications, the role of microbes in Bioconversion, and ways to improve enzyme production which can ultimately be used for the management of keratinous substances. This would also cater to Sustainable development goal number 12 which includes responsible consumption as well as production including the major focus on environmentally sound ways to manage waste through either its prevention, reduction, recycling, or reuse of such solid wastes including keratin.