Deciphering Dynamics and Interactions of Core Microorganisms in the Biodegradation of Keratin-based Feather Wastes

Waste feathers, abundant byproducts of the poultry industry, present both resource utilization challenges and environmental implications. Recent researches have revealed the importance of microbial degradation of feather wastes, yet the core microorganisms and their interactive mechanisms remain insufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated microbial community dynamics during the feather degradation process and identified core microorganisms using diverse feather sources and varying culture temperatures.