Indian scientists turn human hair into fertilizer

In India, researchers at the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute in Bhavnagar, Gujarat have successfully converted human hair into melanin, keratin, and fertilizer.

Dr. Kamlesh Prasad tells The Hindu Business Line  that 1 kilogram of hair can produce 200 grams of melanin, 360 grams of keratin, and 300 milliliters of an ionic liquid that can be used as a fertilizer when mixed with seaweed. Melanin is used in cancer treatment, while keratin valuable for several cosmetics applications, but at lower cost its applications could be expanded.

Around 300 kilotons of human hair is discarded annually. India is among the major exporters of human hair.