Keratin-rich wastes generated from different anthropogenic activities especially during animal products processing, accumulate and cause serious environmental and human health problems. Different chemical and physiological treatment methods to remove these wastes generate other pollutants causing further degradation of the environment. Bio-valorisation of the wastes by some microorganisms using keratinolytic enzymes, keratinases, have shown to be safe, economic and eco-friendly method of converting keratin-rich wastes into value added products with numerous biotechnological applications. The fields of tissue medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food industries have immensely profited from the products of keratinolysis. Recombinant technology and protein engineering further aided in keratin production and purification for future applications. Combination of valorised keratin with other components improves their quality and usage for different purposes. This article reviews the different procedures involved in bulk reduction and utilization of keratin-rich wastes for their effective management and applications.

Keywords : Keratin, Keratinase. Keratinolysis, Biovalorization, Appendageal, Nano-composites.