A new method for determining the microbial degradation of keratin in soils

Summary Keratin azure was incubated in soils in mesh bags of pore-size 5 m, chosen to allow micro-organisms, but not soil animals access to the substrate. The non-degraded substrate was solubilized and the amount of dye remaining determined as a measure of keratin breakdown.Acknowledgment. The technical assistance of Mrs Judith Butterworth is gratefully acknowledged.