Exocellular Chitinase from a Streptomyces sp.

SUMMARY: A number of cultures of chitin-decomposing aerobic bacteria were isolated by the enrichment technique. Chitin decomposition was followed by measurement of loss of alkali-resistant insoluble substrate. Agitated submerged cultures secured a much more rapid breakdown of chitin than static cultures. The exocellular chitinase produced by a species of Streptomyces in agitated submerged culture was studied. The effects of pH value and substrate concentration on enzyme activity were examined and the results used to establish a chitinase assay in terms of reducing-sugar production. The enzyme was an inducible one (adaptive). The enzyme was concentrated by ultrafiltration and lyophilization. The water-soluble reducing materials produced by the enzyme from chitin were identified as N-acetylglucosamine and its corresponding disaccharide, N.N-diacetylchitobiose.