Extraction of Keratin from Chicken Feather and Electrospinning of the Keratin/PLA Blends

Abstract:

Keratins were extracted from chicken feather waste by sulphitolysis method, using various sodium metabisulphite contents. The extracted keratin was characterized by FT-IR and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) techniques. The extracted keratin with the highest molecular weight (12-20 kDa) was then selected for further study on electrospinning. The keratin/PLA solutions with a variety of blending ratios (10/90 to 90/10 w/w) were prepared before fabrication by electrospinning process. Morphology of the electrospun fiber was examined by using SEM technique, From the results, it was found that keratin/PLA blends containing 90 %wt of keratin could not be electrospun into fiber. By decreasing the keratin content to below 70 %wt, the blend solution can be electrospun into fiber. FT-IR spectrum of the keratin/PLA fiber showed the presence of peaks representing both keratin and PLA. These results confirmed that the fiber composed of both polymeric phases.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 747)
• Pages: 711-714
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.747.711
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Siriorn Isarankura Na Ayutthaya, Jatuphorn Wootthikanokkhan
• Keywords: Chicken Feather, Electro-Spinning, Extraction, Keratin, Nanofiber

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