Keratin Based Biopolymeric Film as an Alternative to Conventional Plastic

Abstract

This study is focused on formation of green, sustainable and cost-effective bioplastics or biopolymeric film from keratin, extracted from waste chicken feathers. Use of chicken feathers can solve two environmental problems i.e., waste management of chicken feathers and formation of alternative of synthetic plastic which can restrict environmental pollution. The chicken feathers consist around 90% keratin which is fibrous, non-combustible, biodegradable, biocompatible and insoluble in nature and classified as structural protein. It is considered as one of the hardest and most abundant protein found in the nature. Due to this chicken feather is used in this study for the formation of keratin-based bioplastic film along with glycerol, which acts a plasticizer and helps in formation of efficient and cost-effective film.