The aim of this study was to isolate mesophilic chicken feather-degrading bacteria and to evaluate feather hydrolysate as alternative biofertilizer. Isolate RS7 was isolated from compost and identified as Bacillus pumilus according to API analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Chicken feathers were completely degraded after 5 days of cultivation at 30℃. Feather hydrolysate treated by B. pumilius RS7 positively influenced Helianthus sannuus L. (sunflower) growth (e.g. growth rate, number and dry weight of leave, and flowering rate). These results suggest that feather hydrolysate prepared using B. pumilius RS7 could successfully be used as alternative biofertilizer, thereby reducing the environmental impact of feather waste from the poultry industry.

• 우은옥(부산대학교 미생물학과) | Eun Ok Woo
• 김민주(부산대학교 미생물학과) | Min Ju Kim
• 유은연(부산대학교 미생물학과) | Eun Youn Ryu
• 박근태(부산대학교 산학협력단) | Geun Tae Park
• 이충열(부산대학교 생명자원과학부) | Chung YeoI Lee
• 손홍주(부산대학교 생명응용과학부) | Hong Joo Son
• 이상준(부산대학교 미생물학과) | Sang Joon Lee Corresponding Author