[Chitinase formation by actinomycetes in deep cultures]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Enzymology

Background:

• Actinomycetes are versatile microorganisms known for producing various enzymes.
• Chitin is a major component of crustacean shells and fungal cell walls, requiring specific enzymes for degradation.
• Understanding chitinase production by Actinomycetes is important for biotechnological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chitinase-producing capabilities of Actinomycetes strains.
• To evaluate the activity of extracellular chitinase using different substrates.
• To determine the ratio of chitinase activity on ground and colloid chitin.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of 44 Actinomycetes strains using demineralized crab shells as a carbon source.
• Detection and quantification of extracellular chitinase activity in culture filtrates.
• Assay of chitinase activity using ground chitin (CHI-activity) and colloid chitin (CHX-activity).

Main Results:

• Chitinase was detected in the culture filtrates of all 44 studied Actinomycetes strains.
• Extracellular chitinase exhibited activity against both ground and colloid chitin.
• The ratio between CHI and CHX activity in the most active strains ranged from 1:1 to 2:1.

Conclusions:

• Actinomycetes are a promising source of extracellular chitinase enzymes.
• Demineralized crab shells serve as an effective substrate for inducing chitinase production.
• The differential activity against ground and colloid chitin suggests potential for specific biotechnological applications.