Optimization of production and partial characterization of keratinase produced by bacillus thuringiensis strain Bt407 isolated from poultry soil

Microbial keratinases have become biotechnologically important since they target the hydrolysis of highly rigid, strongly cross-linked structural polypeptide “keratin” recalcitrant to the commonly known proteolytic enzymes. Soil samples collected from different poultry shops were enriched for keratinase producers on Whole feather agar containing whole feathers as a sole Carbon and Nitrogen source. Among 11 bacterial isolates, 6 isolates showed protease activity.