2024.05.20
Czech scientists have developed a method to repurpose feathers, a common by-product, by using hydrolysis to transform them into liquid fertilizer.
It is estimated that the Czech chicken industry generates about 100 million tons of kilograms of feathers each year. The waste is either incinerated, creating large amounts of CO2, or end up in landfills, where they take years to decompose. Czech scientists have come up with a way of repurposing the feathers, turning them into an environmentally friendly fertilizer.
Poultry feathers are composed mainly of keratin, a tough protein also found in hair and horns. Through hydrolysis, scientists break down keratin into amino acids and peptides, which serve as nutrients for plant growth. Using an apparatus similar to a pressure cooker, the feathers are transformed into liquid fertilizer, which has already shown positive results in tests with fast-growing poplars and chilli pepper plants.
This groundbreaking innovation, for which the scientists have obtained a patent, not only reduces waste but also contributes to a more sustainable agricultural industry by providing an environmentally friendly fertilizer. As global agriculture looks for greener solutions, this Czech invention could play a key role in reducing waste and promoting plant growth.
Source: https://english.radio.cz/czech-scientists-turn-chicken-feathers-liquid-fertilizer-8817495
