Iranian scientists develop biotechnology method to turn poultry feathers into protein meal

Iranian researchers have unveiled a biotechnological method that allows poultry feathers – one of the largest by-products of the livestock sector – to be converted into protein-rich meal suitable for use in animal feed. The development stems from a national research project supported by the Iran National Science Foundation, as reported by IRNA, a partner of TV BRICS.

Experts noted that slaughterhouse waste is often used in livestock feed despite its relatively low nutritional value. Feathers, which account for around five per cent of the total weight of poultry, represent one of the most significant waste streams in the sector. As poultry farming expands, the volume of feather waste has risen sharply, creating an urgent need for sustainable solutions that add value to these materials.

Keratin, the main protein in feathers, is difficult to break down due to its numerous disulphide bonds. Although keratin-degrading enzymes have been previously identified in fungi and certain bacteria, their industrial potential has grown in recent years across sectors ranging from wastewater treatment to food, textiles, medicine, and cosmetics.

Given that livestock production is one of Iran’s largest industries, experts stressed the importance of transforming its waste into economically valuable products. The research therefore explored the use of modern biotechnology to produce feather-based protein meal that could be incorporated into feed for livestock and poultry.

The team isolated the gene encoding keratinase from a native bacterial strain and expressed it in a laboratory host to study its enzymatic properties. The strains can be applied directly for enzyme production or used alongside feather waste collected from slaughterhouses to facilitate the conversion process.

Photo: Smederevac / iStock