Are chicken feathers tomorrow's protein bars?

Could chicken feathers help beef up your lean body mass? Photo / 123RF

Could chicken feathers help beef up your lean body mass?

It's a weird suggestion, but one backed by a study just published by New Zealand researchers.

The Massey University paper found these feathers could have potential as a protein supplement for people wanting to build or maintain lean body mass.

Keratins are structural, thiol-rich proteins which comprise 90 per cent of total poultry feather weight.

"Normally we don't eat feathers because we can't digest them, even though they are full of protein," said Professor Steve Stannard, who, with Dr Matthew Barnes, supervised the study by Dr Emma Crum and Dr Yanita McLeay.

"But for our study the feathers went through a process called acid hydrolysis which vastly improved solubility."

The mixture was then cooled and a base was added to raise the pH of the solution to form a neutral pH edible protein mix.

That solution was dried and milled, and flavouring added to form a protein powder.

The supplement was consumed as two protein bars, of two different flavours, and the remainder of the protein requirement, in powder form, mixed with water to make a drink.

Fifteen trained male cyclists, aged between 18 and 50, were recruited for the Manawatu-based study.

They were then given four-weeks of soluble keratin supplementary to their diet to see if it would have effects on body composition, blood and cardiorespiratory variables and cycling performance, compared to casein protein, or dairy.

Stannard said while the total body mass and percentage body fat did not change significantly, the study unearthed an interesting finding.

"Our data showed that while keratin consumption is not useful as a performance enhancing aid, it was associated with significant increases in lean body mass during the four weeks of exercise training."

Professor Steve Stannard of Massey University's School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition. Photo / Supplied

The dairy-based supplement didn't have the same effect.

"Despite not inducing any significant changes in cycling performance, the keratin was well-tolerated by the study participants," Stannard said.

"It perhaps has the potential to be used as a supplement for people who want to improve their lean body mass such as the elderly or some sports-people."

The study was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.