Extraction and Functional Profiling of Keratin From Cow Hooves

The increasing environmental challenges associated with slaughter house waste call for innovative strategies to utilize keratin‐rich materials such as cow hooves. This study examined the extraction and characterization of keratin using three solutions: sodium hydroxide–urea (KSUK), sodium hydroxide–thiourea (KSTK), and sodium sulfide (KPK). Freshly collected hooves were chopped, defatted with hexane–ethanol, dried, and pulverized before extraction. The keratin was recovered through isoelectric precipitation, followed by washing and freeze‐drying. Extracted keratin samples were analyzed for proximate composition; pH; yield; and true density, bulk, and tapped densities. Additional properties assessed included porosity, compressibility (Carr's index and Hausner ratio), viscosity, gelation temperature, moisture sorption, hydration and swelling capacities, and foaming properties. Extraction yields varied significantly (KSUK: 66.15%, KSTK: 59.50%, and KPK: 57.50%) with KSUK achieving the highest yield while maintaining 5.4 pH conditions. KPK produced the purest keratin (77.96%), whereass the keratin extracted using sodium hydroxide–thiourea exhibited enhanced functional properties, particularly in emulsification and foam stability. KSUK demonstrated exceptional hydration capacity (519%), KPK showed the highest moisture sorption (76.50%), and KSUK extracts displayed thermal stability between 250°C and 450°C. The XRD analyses reveal KSUK with crystalline formation. This study highlights the efficiency of different solutions in keratin extraction and their influence on keratin properties. By converting abundant agricultural waste into valuable materials, this study offers a practical solution to environmental concerns while promoting the development of eco‐friendly alternatives.