Keratinase (Subtilisin) CAS 9014-01-1

What Keratinase Is

Keratinase is a protease, a protein-digesting enzyme, from the subtilisin family, grown by fermentation from Bacillus subtilis. Most proteases only break down ordinary soluble protein. This one is selected to attack keratin, the rigid, sulfur-crosslinked protein that makes feathers, hair, wool and hooves so hard to decompose. It works under mildly alkaline conditions at moderate heat, and it is sold as a shelf-stable powder or a ready-to-dose liquid.

Where It Is Used

• Animal feed. Added to poultry, swine and aquafeed built on feather meal and hair meal, lifting crude protein digestibility and feed conversion, and fitting antibiotic-free diets.
• Leather making. A bio-based unhairing aid in the beamhouse that replaces part of the sodium sulfide and lime, protecting the hide grain and cutting sulfide in the effluent.
• Hair and scalp care. Used in mild shampoos and scalp treatments to clear damaged keratin and buildup without stripping the hair.
• Textile and laundry. Strips protein size from wool and silk and boosts protein stain removal in detergents at moderate wash temperatures.

Quality Specifications

Storage, Handling and Ordering

• Keep powder sealed and refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C, and stabilized liquid below 25 °C; protect all grades from sun, heat and oxidizers, and do not freeze and thaw liquid repeatedly. Standard pelleting up to 85 °C does little harm, while hotter lines should use a coated grade or post-pelleting spray.
• Classified Non-DG for ocean freight, shipped with temperature-managed packaging. Enzyme dust can irritate the airways and skin, so wear a mask, goggles and gloves and use extraction when tipping bags.
• Packed in 1 kg foil bags, 25 kg fiber drums and 200 kg IBC totes, with custom activity grades on request; COA, TDS and SDS come with every order. In feed it pairs with gut-health additives such as Sodium Butyrate CAS 156-54-7, and in leather it feeds into the tanning step handled with Basic Chromium Sulfate CAS 39380-78-4.

FAQ

Q: How is it different from ordinary subtilisin?

A: It is a selected subtilisin strain that cuts disulfide crosslinks ordinary proteases miss.

Q: Will feed pelleting heat kill the activity?

A: Up to 85 C is fine; above 90 C use a coated grade or spray it on after pelleting.

Q: Powder or liquid?

A: Powder suits dry premixes and long storage; liquid doses into baths and detergent lines.