Optimization of chicken feather keratin extraction and 3D-bioprinting of keratin-based composite scaffolds

Date of Publication

7-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Honors) - Ladderized

Subject Categories

Chemical Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Chemical Engineering

Honor/Award

Outstanding Thesis Award (Best Thesis Award)

Thesis Advisor

Nathaniel P. Dugos

Vergel C. Bungay

Renato C. Ong

Defense Panel Chair

Cynthia F. Madrazo

Defense Panel Member

Angelo Earvin S. Choi

Denvert C. Pangayao

Abstract (English)

With the continuously growing demand for chicken and the development of industrial-scale poultry farming, millions of tons of feathers are generated each year globally. Unfortunately, these are often only either disposed into landfills or by incineration, hence presenting a serious environmental waste problem. Although chicken feathers can be recycled into high-value materials owing to their significant keratin content, the challenge lies in the difficulty of solubilizing feather keratin and the sustainability of the method used in extraction. In this study, keratin from chicken feathers was extracted using a novel eco-friendly eutectic mixture of L-cysteine and lactic acid. Response surface methodology (RSM) was then employed following Box-Behnken design (BBD) to determine the individual and interaction effects of the mass of L-cysteine in 40 mL concentrated lactic acid solution (1.5 to 3.5 g), reaction temperature (70 to 110°C), and dissolution time (2 to 10 h) on the yield of extraction. Results showed that the prepared DES is effective in the recovery of keratin from chicken feathers with the experimental yield reaching over 84% wt. On the other hand, model fitting and ANOVA analysis revealed that temperature had the greatest influence on yield followed by dissolution time, whereas the amount of L-cysteine significantly affects yield in a nonlinear manner. Concerning model optimization, a maximum keratin yield of 85.98% was predicted at a temperature of 108°C, 6 h dissolution time, using 2.3 g of L-cysteine in the DES. The study was also extended to investigate the practical applications of the extracted feather keratin via 3D-bioprinted scaffold fabrication. In particular, the prepared feather keratin extract was integrated into a composite bioink composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and gelatin, 3D-bioprinted, and then characterized for its potential in biomedical applications. Results revealed that the 3D-bioprinted scaffold incorporating CFK demonstrated shape integrity and enhanced mechanical stiffness and surface roughness compared to PVA-gelatin alone, suggesting its strong potential for load-bearing tissue engineering applications. Overall, the findings of this study present a crucial opportunity for waste recovery, upcycling, and innovation.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

None

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Keratin

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Embargo Period

8-19-2025

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