Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinase enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinise enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinise enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinise enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinase enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinase enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinase enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinase enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method and composition for destruction of infectious prion proteins in tissue, by thermal/enzymatic treatment of the tissue with a prion-destructive protease. The method and composition are applicable to treatment of tissue containing or contaminated with prion protein strains associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and/or other prion protein-mediated diseases.

Abstract: A recombinant nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein wherein the recombinant nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid encoding a keratinase fused to a nucleic acid encoding a first member of a specific binding pair is described. An immobilized keratinase comprising a fusion protein and a solid support is also described. A method of digesting substrates such as keratin (e.g., feather) or protein (e.g., casein) is also described herein.

Abstract: A method and composition for sterilizing articles that are contaminated with infectious prion protein, such as surgical instruments, kitchen utensils, laboratory tools, etc., comprising the steps of: (a) heating the articles to be treated at a moderate temperature well below the incineration temperature of said infectious prion protein, wherein said moderate temperature is sufficient to enhance the proteolytic susceptibility of infective prion protein associated with said articles; and (b) exposing the heated articles to a proteolytic enzyme that is effective for at least partial reduction of the infective protein prion associated with said articles under said moderate temperature.

Abstract: A method and composition for destruction of infectious prion proteins in tissue, by thermal/enzymatic treatment of the tissue with a prion-destructive protease. The method and composition are applicable to treatment of tissue containing or contaminated with prion protein strains associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and/or other prion protein-mediated diseases.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding a keratinase is disclosed. The isolated DNA may be any of (a) isolated DNA which encodes the Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1 keratinase enzyme of FIG. 1, (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to an oligonucleotide probe, which hybridizes to the DNA of (a) above, and does not hybridize to DNA encoding the Bacillus licheniformis NCIB 6816 subtilisin Carlsberg serine protease, and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in nucleotide sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a keratinase enzyme.

Abstract: A process for the anaerobic digestion of organic carbonaceous material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of (a) hydrolyzing organic carbonaceous material to produce a digester stream including hydrolysis products; (b) subjecting the digester stream to a first methanation phase operating at thermophilic conditions to produce a gaseous product including methane; and (c) subjecting the digester stream to a second methanation phase operating at mesophilic conditions to produce further gaseous product including methane, and to recover heat. An apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of organic carbonaceous material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for maintaining animals on a diet containing keratin as a source of protein are disclosed. The method comprises feeding an animal a carbohydrate source and a first protein source, the first protein source comprising keratin and a keratinase capable of hydrolyzing the keratin. A composition of the present invention is an animal feed comprising a carbohydrate source and a first protein source, the first protein source comprising keratin and a keratinase capable of hydrolyzing the keratin. A preferred keratin for practicing the present invention is ground feather, and a preferred keratinase for practicing the invention is obtained from Bacillus licheniformis strain PWD-1.

Abstract: A substantially pure keratinaceous material-degrading B. licheniformis PWD-1 enzyme is disclosed. The substantially pure enzyme is characterized by a molecular weight of 33 kiloDaltons, an isoelectric point of 7.25, an optimum pH of 7.5, an optimum temperature of 45.degree.-50.degree. C., and thermal stability at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method of degrading keratinaceous material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the keratinaceous material with Bacillus licheniformis to form a fermentation media and then fermenting the media for a time sufficient to degrade the material. The method can be used to produce amino acids from keratinaceous material and to produce a hydrolyzed feather product useful as a feed additive from the keratinaceous material.A preferred keratinaceous material for carrying out the present invention is feather, and a preferred bacteria for carrying out the invention is Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1.

Abstract: A method of degrading keratinaceous material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the keratinaceous material with Bacillus licheniformis to form a fermentation media and then fermenting the media for a time sufficient to degrade the material. The method can be used to produce amino acids from keratinaceous material and to produce a hydrolyzed feather product useful as a feed additive from the keratinaceous material.A preferred keratinaceous material for carrying out the present invention is feather, and a preferred bacteria for carrying out the invention is Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1.

Abstract: A hydrolyzed feather product, feather-lysate, is disclosed. The product comprises partially hydrolyzed feather, proteins cleaved from the partially hydrolyzed feather, peptides cleaved from the partially hydrolyzed feather, and Bacillus licheniformis cells. Preferably, the B. licheniformis cells are killed. Feather-lysate may be combined with a carbohydrate source to form an animal feed.