If someone told you to keep your just dismembered chicken feathers because he wants to make a dish out of it, would you react?
That is exactly how everyone reacted when a London-based student, Sorawut Kittibanthorn from Thailand decided that he would make a protein dish from waste chicken feathers.
The Global Grad Show, usually held in Dubai, features graduate student projects with the potential to make a positive impact on society.
Sorawut Kittibanthorn who was among the 100 graduates shortlisted from more than 1600 submissions from around the world to investors how he intend to make his project work.
The 30-year-old “bio-designer” from Thailand was inspired by recent scientific findings from institutions such as Massey University in New Zealand, where researchers published a 2018 report suggesting that chicken feathers could have potential as a protein supplement.
He found that the bird’s feathers contain large amounts of amino acid-rich keratin protein, and could be made into protein bars.
The student told the Standard the underlying principle behind all his work is “to turn waste into something that is valuable”.
Kittibanthorn set about using hydrolysis to extract keratin proteins from piles of feathers. The days-long process creates a “tasteless” amber liquid, which he then spent months working to turn into a tasty “meat-like product”.
The student bills his protein product – seasoned with spices, peppers, and salt – as “melt-in-the-mouth” and light in calories.
He said appearing at the show was “a big opportunity”.
“I believe that if we are to continue rearing and slaughtering millions of birds daily, then at the very least we have a responsibility to ensure that we safely and sustainably make use of every part of them,” he said.
“This show is going to bring my project to the real world and I’m so thankful for that. [Being selected for] the Global Grad Show is proof that my project isn’t just a speculated design, and that it is being valued by scientists and others.”
But the student admitted that he may have to convince consumers to take the plunge and eat processed feathers.
He said: “When I explained my project to my Mum, she said: ‘Are you serious? Who’s going to eat this?’
“She couldn’t understand the product until she saw it for herself and people began expressing an interest in it.
“Lots of my friends tried the product and it wasn’t what they expected.
“Most people are worried that it’s unsanitary but I think when you see the final product, people become more open-minded.”
Kittibanthorn was encouraged to pursue the project as the Central St Martins course aims to operate in the space “where science, technology, and design collide”.
What do you think about this?
Would you have a taste of the meat made from the chicken feather?
