Valorization of Waste Chicken Feathers: Fabrication and Characterization of Novel Keratin Nanofiber Conduits for Potential Application in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Mduduzi Khumalo, Bruce Sitholé, Tamrat Tesfaye, Prabashni Lekha
Abstract
Flexible, porous, biocompatible, and biodegradable tubular keratin nanofibers were fabricated as nerve regeneration conduits. Keratin was extracted from waste chicken feathers and then blended with polyvinyl alcohol and transformed into nanofiber conduits by electrospinning. The nanofiber conduits had average diameters that ranged from 170 to 234 nm. The nanofibers’ average diameter decreased when the keratin content was increased. In contrast, the range of nanofiber diameter distribution narrowed, suggesting that as nanofibers became thin, their numbers increased, thus reducing the interfacial spaces between them. The analysis confirmed the presence of keratin protein in nanofibers, guaranteeing biocompatibility and biodegradation. TGA showed that keratin improved the thermal stability and hydrophilicity of the nanofibers.