Efficient Keratinase Production by Engineered Pichia pastoris Using Xylose-Rich Cellulosic Biomass

초록

The increase in keratin-rich waste from the poultry industry poses environmental and economic challenges due to keratin’s resilience to degradation. Keratinase enables recycling of this waste into valuable products, though existing strains pose production limitations for industrial application. In this study, we engineered Pichia pastoris to metabolize xylose and produce keratinase efficiently. The engineered strain demonstrated effective keratinase production using xylose and xylose-rich cellulosic biomass as carbon sources. Additionally, keratin as a nitrogen source supported cell growth and keratinase production comparable to traditional yeast extract and peptone. The recombinant keratinase exhibited optimal activity at pH 11 and 40°C, with high thermal stability, making it suitable for industrial applications. This study presents a sustainable, scalable method for keratinase production from renewable resources, with broad industrial potential.

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