Advances in Microbial Keratinase and Its Potential Applications

摘要: Keratin, the most important biopolymer after collagen, is a structural protein found in integuments of vertebrates. These exoskeleton materials horns, hooves, hairs, feathers, wool, beaks, claws and nails major livestocks also present stratum corneum human. Several million tons keratin substrates are produced annually as byproduct farms, industries other sources which pollute soil, water cause various human ailments such dermatophytic infections, chlorosis, mycoplasma fowl cholera, avian influenza etc. Though proteins recalcitrant nature, waste does not accumulate nature ensuring presence natural microbial decomposers. A specific group bacteria, fungi, saprophytic fungi actinomycetes have capability to decompose wastes. microorganisms produce particular class protease called keratinase [EC 3.4.21/24/99.11] that exhibits degrade substrates. The keratinolytic proteases principally classified into serine, metallo metallo-serine their molecular weight ranges from 18–240 kDa, though them MW around 50 kDa. They under subtilisin-like superfamily amino acid number 163–671. enzyme keratinases used detergents, biopesticides play role hydrolysis prion enhancement drug delivery. degraded products (hydrolysates) fertilizers nutritionally enriched food stuffs due high nitrogen acids, production biodegradable films, glues different personal care products. review discusses application with special focus on structure function enzyme.