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Chitinase and changes of microbial community in soil
1Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague.
Folia Microbiologica
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Adding chitin to soil boosts chitinolytic microorganisms and chitinase enzyme formation. However, adding glucose alongside chitin inhibits this beneficial microbial and enzymatic activity.
Area of Science:
- Soil microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chitin is a biopolymer found in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons.
- Chitinolytic microorganisms play a role in nutrient cycling and soil health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of chitin enrichment on soil microbial communities and chitinase enzyme activity.
- To determine the impact of co-enrichment with glucose on these processes.
Main Methods:
- Soil samples were enriched with chitin (0.6%) or chitin and glucose (0.6%).
- The relative proportion of chitinolytic microorganisms was assessed.
- Chitinase enzyme formation in soil was measured.
Main Results:
- Chitin enrichment significantly increased chitinolytic microorganisms from 1.7% to 26.5%.
- Chitin enrichment also stimulated chitinase enzyme formation.
- Co-enrichment with glucose and chitin resulted in a similar low proportion of chitinolytic microorganisms (1.4%) as in non-enriched soil.
- Glucose addition negatively affected chitinase enzyme formation.
Conclusions:
- Chitin is a potent substrate for stimulating beneficial soil microorganisms and their enzymatic activity.
- Glucose addition can counteract the positive effects of chitin on chitinolytic microbial communities and chitinase production.