In the present study, 30 strains capable of degrading keratin were isolated in selective media containing this protein. A total count of 18 bacterial, 9 fungal and 3 yeast isolates was obtained. The dominating genera were: Bacillus sp., Sarcina sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Geotrichum sp., Rhodotorula sp. and Candida sp. The most effective keratin degradation was performed by the single cultures of bacteria Bacillus and Sarcina as well as Mucor, Penicillium and Fusarium fungi (51÷98%). Feather keratin decomposition by bacterial isolates was analysed in the submerged cultures in the mineral medium, containing keratin as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The study shows that the Bacillus polymyxa, B.cereus, B.subtilis and Sarcina sp. bacteria liquified keratin by almost a complete disintegration of its structure, after a few days of incubation. This process was accompanied by the release of soluble proteins (1 mg/cm3), amino groups (210 žg/cm^3) and thiol groups (50 žg/ cm^3). Furthermore, the activity of proteases (48 PU/cm^3 ź min) and keratinases (6 KU/cm3 ź min) in the culture media was observed.
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