Identification of waste chicken feathers degradation products using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Abstract

Chicken feathers were separated into barb and rachis fractions and subject to analytical pyrolysis at 550°C in order to identify the protein degradation products and potential toxic compounds that could arise. Under these conditions, cyanide contain compounds, benzene and toluene were identified in each of the chicken feather fractions. The amino acids and the constitutive degradation products of the chicken feather protein were also identified, i.e., alanine, proline, valine, isoleucine and their respective degradation products piperidine, pyrroline, propanenitrile, butanenitrile. Rising concern for the environment and growing demand for safe and sustainable bio-based materials are prompting the search for environmentally friendly and “green” methods to exploit available natural by-products. The chemical, physical, morphological, thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the chicken feathers and related potential valorization routes have been described previously by the authors. However, identification of their degradation products is necessary to complete the comprehensive description of chicken feather fractions. Hence, this research aims to evaluate the degradation properties of chicken feathers for the production of high value materials. The chicken feather fractions were thoroughly characterized by Py-GC/MS.