The decomposition of wool keratin byKeratinomyces ajelloi

Abstract

The origin and nature of keratins is discussed in relation to the problem of choosing a suitable keratinous substrate for cultural studies. The problem of establishing evidence for keratinolysis is discussed and a method described for measuring keratinolysis in growing cultures. Measurements have been made of certain biochemical changes taking place in cultures in which wool keratin was being actively digested by a strain of Keratinomyces ajelloi . In such cultures the pH rises steadily and remains high for as long as four days. It is suggested that these conditions significantly increase the susceptibility of wool keratin to digestion by proteolytic enzymes released into the culture medium. The changes in Eh are regarded as consistent with the failure to detect, both chromatographically and colorimetrically, any reduction products of keratin.