[The chitinases of aerobic sporulating bacteria isolated from different ecological sources]

The chitinolytic activity of 171 strains of 15 species of spore-forming aerobic bacteria isolated from different ecological sources has been studied. 85 strains of the studied bacilli (50%) hydrolyzed colloidal chitin in a different degree. Among the cultures isolated from human and animal organism 60% of strains were characterized by the presence of extracellular chinases, among the collection strains--37%, among those isolated from soil and from insects--40 and 43%, respectively. The cultures of Bacillus subtilis as well as B. coagulans, B. megaterium and some other possessed the highest activity on the liquid medium. Some strains have been chosen for further research aimed at their possible use for biotechnology.