Microbial keratinases: characteristics, biotechnological applications and potential

Keratinases are a group of proteolytic enzymes that can catalyse the cleavage and hydrolysis of the highly stable and fibrous proteins: keratins. A diverse range of microorganisms, including fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria, have been reported to produce keratinases that have biotechnological applications and potential. These keratinases have been usefully applied in agricultural, pharmaceutical, leather and textile processes as well as within environmentally friendly waste management solutions. Potential uses of keratinases include the fields of biomedicine, cosmetics, biological control and the generation of green energy. Herein we aim to provide an overview of the properties of this group of versatile enzymes, including the mechanisms of keratin degradation. The diversity of microbial sources of keratinases is discussed and the optimisation of keratianse production examined. We conclude with an assessment of the established biotechnological applications of keratinases in different industries and current research that highlights other promising potential uses.

Permission granted on 14/04/16, by CAB International (www.cabi.org/) to make the full text of the author's accepted manuscript version of the chapter "Purchase, Diane (2016) Microbial keratinases: characteristics, biotechnological applications and potential. In: The Handbook of Microbial Bioresources. Gupta, Vijai K. and Sharma, Gauri D. and Tuohy, Maria G. and Gaur, Rajeeva, eds. CAB International, Wallingford, UK. ISBN 9781780645216" available in the Middlesex University Research Repository. The final published version is available via CABI at http://www.cabi.org/bookshop/book/9781780645216