Chicken feather waste represents an underutilized resource of high-quality keratin biopolymer with significant commercial potential. This innovative study demonstrates a sustainable valorization pathway using sodium sulfide as an eco-friendly reducing agent for keratin extraction. The extracted keratin was extensively characterized, and its performance as an antioxidant and UV-protective agent was systematically assessed. The extracted keratin was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray fluorescence, revealing a semi-crystalline structure, fibrous morphology, and good thermal stability. A response surface methodology approach was employed to optimize extraction parameters (Na2S concentration, time, pH, temperature), achieving exceptional protein yields of 7.32 mg. mL-1 for the solid-phase fraction and 2.01 mg. mL-1 for the aqueous-phase fraction. Moreover, the application of keratin nanoparticles into wool fabrics markedly enhanced their ultraviolet protection factor, improving the classification from “very good” to “excellent”. The innovative integration of density functional theory with independent gradient model analysis provided unprecedented mechanistic insights into Na2S-mediated dissolution, revealing crucial synergistic cation-anion interactions. This multidisciplinary approach transforms abundant agricultural waste into high-purity keratin suitable for advanced material applications, establishing a circular economy pathway with significant environmental and commercial implications.
Sustainable Valorization of Chicken Feather Waste: Keratin Extraction for Advanced UV-Protective Textile and Antioxidant Applications and DFT- Guided Sodium Sulfide Dissolution
Sabino De Gisi
;
2025
Abstract
Chicken feather waste represents an underutilized resource of high-quality keratin biopolymer with significant commercial potential. This innovative study demonstrates a sustainable valorization pathway using sodium sulfide as an eco-friendly reducing agent for keratin extraction. The extracted keratin was extensively characterized, and its performance as an antioxidant and UV-protective agent was systematically assessed. The extracted keratin was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray fluorescence, revealing a semi-crystalline structure, fibrous morphology, and good thermal stability. A response surface methodology approach was employed to optimize extraction parameters (Na2S concentration, time, pH, temperature), achieving exceptional protein yields of 7.32 mg. mL-1 for the solid-phase fraction and 2.01 mg. mL-1 for the aqueous-phase fraction. Moreover, the application of keratin nanoparticles into wool fabrics markedly enhanced their ultraviolet protection factor, improving the classification from “very good” to “excellent”. The innovative integration of density functional theory with independent gradient model analysis provided unprecedented mechanistic insights into Na2S-mediated dissolution, revealing crucial synergistic cation-anion interactions. This multidisciplinary approach transforms abundant agricultural waste into high-purity keratin suitable for advanced material applications, establishing a circular economy pathway with significant environmental and commercial implications.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
