Arthroderma tuberculatum and Arthroderma multifidum Isolated from Soils in Rook ( Corvus frugilegus ) Colonies as Producers of Keratinolytic Enzymes and Mineral Forms of N and S

Justyna Bohacz, Michał Możejko and Ignacy Kitowski
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Justyna Bohacz: Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7 Street, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
Michał Możejko: Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7 Street, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
Ignacy Kitowski: State School of Higher Education in Chełm, Institute of Agricultural Science, Pocztowa 54 Street, 22-100 Chełm, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: Keratinolytic fungi representing the genus Arthroderma that were isolated from the soils of a rook ( Corvus frugilegus ) colony were used as biological agents for the disposal of waste feathers. The aim of this study was to assess the abilities of Arthroderma tuberculatum and Arthroderma multifidum fungi with a varied inflow of keratin matter to biodegrade waste feathers. The evaluation was based on the determination of feather mass loss, the activity of keratinolytic enzymes, and the content of mineral N and S forms. It was found that the activity of protease released by the fungi contributed to an increase in the level of soluble proteins and peptides and the concentration of ammonium ions, as well as alkalization of the culture medium. Keratinase activity was significantly correlated with sulfate release, especially in A. tuberculatum cultures. The strains of A. tuberculatum fungi isolated from the soil with the highest supply of organic matter, i.e., strains III, IV, and V, had the lowest enzymatic activity, compared to the A. multifidum strains, but they released mineral nitrogen and sulfur forms that are highly important for fertilization, as well as nutritionally important peptides and amino acids. A. tuberculatum strains can be used for the management of waste feathers that can be applied in agricultural practice.

Keywords: Arthroderma sp.; Corvus frugilegus; feathers; keratinases; proteolytic activity; ammonium ions; sulfate ions; keratin hydrolysates; amino acid (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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