Upcycling Waste Hair and Feathers Derived Keratin Into Intact Cortical Cell-Derived Micro-Units via Periodate Oxidation: Applications and Life Cycle Assessment

This study presents a novel method for extracting keratin-based materials from waste hair and feathers using alkaline periodate oxidation. The process effectively isolates hair and feather cortical cell-derived micro-units (HCCMs and FCCMs) while preserving their structural integrity and functional properties. The extracted micro-units, measuring 40–80 μm in length and 5–8 μm in diameter, can be used in various applications, including biomedical and food industries. The study also includes a Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of keratin-based emulsion production, highlighting the method's potential for sustainable and eco-friendly applications.