Keratin munching extremophile discovered!

The extremophiles continue to amaze and astonish one with their singularly unique abilities. Besides, the fact that this class of organisms can survive the harshest spells of extreme cold and heat, members of this family have been shown to exhibit an amazingly diverse range of remarkable properties. One more such extremophile has been shown to do what has been considered a rather novel feat of acheivement, the ability to degrade keratins.

Riessen et al at the Institute of Technical Microbiology, Technical University, Hamburg, Germany have recently isolated a new species of thermophilic anaerobic bacteria with keratinolytic activity growing at temperatures between 50 degrees C and 90 degrees C. The bacteria were isolated from samples collected on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores (Portugal). The bacteria identified as a new species belonging to the genus Thermoanaerobacter, was called as Thermoanaerobacter keratinophilus.

The strain has been observed to grow optimally at 70 degrees C, pH 7.0, and 0.5% NaCl. It is believed to be the first member of the genus Thermoanaerobacter and has been described for its ability to degrade native keratin. The investigators were able to demonstrate 70% keratolysis of native wool after 10 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions. The strain was shown to possess intracellular and extracellular proteases optimally active at 60 degrees C, pH 7.0, and 85 degrees C, pH 8.0, respectively.

Reference for further reading:
Extremophiles 2001 Dec;5(6):399-408. Isolation of Thermoanaerobacter keratinophilus sp. nov., a novel thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium with keratinolytic activity. Riessen S, Antranikian G. Institute of Technical Microbiology, Technical University Hamburg-Harburg, Germany.