Synthesis and characterization of spray-dried chicken feather keratin for nutrient supplementation /
Vanessa Alberto,
Synthesis and characterization of spray-dried chicken feather keratin for nutrient supplementation / Vanessa Alberto - xiii, 138 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-ROM
Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology
Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2025
Includes bibliographical references
Keratin has always been a topic of interest as a novel source of protein in the use for human nutrition. The innovative approach of extracting keratin from chicken feather is consistent with waste to wealth initiatives. Keratin powder from spray drying hydrolyzed chicken feather keratin eases the transport and storage of keratin. It can also be further developed into nutrient supplements. Arabic gum (AG) is also known for its health benefits and good encapsulation performance. Despite the many benefits, study on the spray drying of chicken feather keratin using AG encapsulation is scarce as compared to other protein-based products with carrier agents like maltodextrin or casein. The objective of this research is to determine the suitable spray drying parameters involving inlet temperature, feed flow rate and concentration of AG for encapsulation of hydrolyzed chicken feather keratin as nutrient supplement. The effects of the spray drying on powder yield, moisture content, flowability and total protein content was investigated. The presence of keratin functional groups of the spray dried powders was determined through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) while the morphology of the powders was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The keratin powder was also exposed to simulated gastric conditions and visually observed using Biuret solution and Bradford reagent. Besides that, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was conducted to obtain amino acid profiling of the powder. Then, capsule quality control tests were conducted with reference to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and guidelines from National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency Malaysia (NPRA). The results showed that product yield ranged from 8.05% - 83.02%. For moisture content, excluding those under 70 ± 5°C inlet temperature setting, all moisture content achieved ideal results of < 5%. On top of that, angle of repose (AOR) method showed that although only two results of flowability achieved “Excellent” classification, none of the results were in the “Very, very poor” classification. Furthermore, the total protein content showed an increase with decreasing inlet temperature and feed flow rate and increasing AG concentration with one setting achieving only 2.5% lost in protein content. Good powder quality was obtained from the parameters of inlet temperature 190 ± 5°C, feed flow rate of 3 ml/min and AG concentration of 2.50% and was used for capsulation into hard gelatin capsules. This is due to the results of the study where the powders from these parameters had a high yield of 81.88%, good moisture content of 3.74% (<5%), good flowability with AOR 43.70° (<50°), a high (minimal lost) total protein content of 71.68 g protein/g solid. The presence of keratin functional groups remains distinguishable through FTIR. However, due to high temperatures, the results for keratin powder with 0% AG encapsulation at 190 ± 5°C showed significant reduction in peak intensity for Amide A and Amide 3 while 0% AG encapsulation at 70 ± 5°C there was no significant peak for Amide 3 bands. SEM analysis showed generally spherical and intact structure which suggests high integrity of the encapsulating materials. The amino acids in the keratin powder were seen to be present and viable even after simulated gastric conditions which is an indication for good absorption in the small intestine. Amino acid profiling also confirmed the presence of both essential and non-essential amino acids which are important as the building blocks of proteins in the body. Lastly, the keratin powder capsules were found to be compliant according to US Pharmacopeia and NPRA Malaysia. The results of the study would be a significant contribution to nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications as future reference to improve the production of keratin powder capsules and other forms of products involving powdered forms of keratin.
THE0010086 (Local)
Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology--Dissertations
Universities and colleges--Dissertations
Thesis--Dissertations
Synthesis and characterization of spray-dried chicken feather keratin for nutrient supplementation / Vanessa Alberto - xiii, 138 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-ROM
Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology
Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2025
Includes bibliographical references
Keratin has always been a topic of interest as a novel source of protein in the use for human nutrition. The innovative approach of extracting keratin from chicken feather is consistent with waste to wealth initiatives. Keratin powder from spray drying hydrolyzed chicken feather keratin eases the transport and storage of keratin. It can also be further developed into nutrient supplements. Arabic gum (AG) is also known for its health benefits and good encapsulation performance. Despite the many benefits, study on the spray drying of chicken feather keratin using AG encapsulation is scarce as compared to other protein-based products with carrier agents like maltodextrin or casein. The objective of this research is to determine the suitable spray drying parameters involving inlet temperature, feed flow rate and concentration of AG for encapsulation of hydrolyzed chicken feather keratin as nutrient supplement. The effects of the spray drying on powder yield, moisture content, flowability and total protein content was investigated. The presence of keratin functional groups of the spray dried powders was determined through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) while the morphology of the powders was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The keratin powder was also exposed to simulated gastric conditions and visually observed using Biuret solution and Bradford reagent. Besides that, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was conducted to obtain amino acid profiling of the powder. Then, capsule quality control tests were conducted with reference to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and guidelines from National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency Malaysia (NPRA). The results showed that product yield ranged from 8.05% - 83.02%. For moisture content, excluding those under 70 ± 5°C inlet temperature setting, all moisture content achieved ideal results of < 5%. On top of that, angle of repose (AOR) method showed that although only two results of flowability achieved “Excellent” classification, none of the results were in the “Very, very poor” classification. Furthermore, the total protein content showed an increase with decreasing inlet temperature and feed flow rate and increasing AG concentration with one setting achieving only 2.5% lost in protein content. Good powder quality was obtained from the parameters of inlet temperature 190 ± 5°C, feed flow rate of 3 ml/min and AG concentration of 2.50% and was used for capsulation into hard gelatin capsules. This is due to the results of the study where the powders from these parameters had a high yield of 81.88%, good moisture content of 3.74% (<5%), good flowability with AOR 43.70° (<50°), a high (minimal lost) total protein content of 71.68 g protein/g solid. The presence of keratin functional groups remains distinguishable through FTIR. However, due to high temperatures, the results for keratin powder with 0% AG encapsulation at 190 ± 5°C showed significant reduction in peak intensity for Amide A and Amide 3 while 0% AG encapsulation at 70 ± 5°C there was no significant peak for Amide 3 bands. SEM analysis showed generally spherical and intact structure which suggests high integrity of the encapsulating materials. The amino acids in the keratin powder were seen to be present and viable even after simulated gastric conditions which is an indication for good absorption in the small intestine. Amino acid profiling also confirmed the presence of both essential and non-essential amino acids which are important as the building blocks of proteins in the body. Lastly, the keratin powder capsules were found to be compliant according to US Pharmacopeia and NPRA Malaysia. The results of the study would be a significant contribution to nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications as future reference to improve the production of keratin powder capsules and other forms of products involving powdered forms of keratin.
THE0010086 (Local)
Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology--Dissertations
Universities and colleges--Dissertations
Thesis--Dissertations