Microbial degradation of shrimp-shell waste

A total of 40 strains of bacteria were isolated and tested for their potentiality to degrade chitin and utilize shrimp-shell waste for the production of chitinase. The activity ratio, percentage of weight loss and enzyme activity were determined for cultures exhibiting highest chitinolytic activities. The most active organisms were identified as Alcaligenes denitrificans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. megaterium and B. subtilis. The potentiality of the first two organisms to degrade chitin was reported for the first time.