ABSTRACT

After cellulose chitin is abundant biopolymer which is widely dispersed in aquatic and terrestrial environment. Chitinase enzymes have more attention because of their extensive applications in the field of agriculture and environment. Chitinolytic microorganisms were isolated from different chitin-rich environments to study their different properties. Total 96 samples of soil and water were collected from various sampling sites in and around the Thane district of the Mumbai region. A total of 183 chitinolytic bacteria were isolated by using colloidal chitin agar (CCA), which was made by chitin flakes. All the isolates were qualitatively and quantitatively screened for their chitinolytic activity by Congo Red Assay and Schales Assay respectively. 30 potent isolates showing Relative Enzyme Activity (REA) ?20 were selected and their enzyme units were also calculated. Biochemical and morphological methods were used to identify potent strains up to the genus level. Isolate SW26 showed excellent chitinase activity with 14.2 U/ml and it was further identified as Paenibacillus lautus by 16s rRNA sequencing. Chitinase production was done with optimum media by Paenibacillus lautus yields 30.21 U/ml of the enzyme. Fungal phytopathogens Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Curvuleria sp., Fusarium sp. were isolated from infected fruits and leaves collected from the local market, gardens, and farms. Antifungal potential of partially purified chitinase was checked by disc diffusion method against isolated fungal phytopathogens. The partially purified enzyme showed excellent antifungal potential towards Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger. Antifungal activity of chitinase is indicative of applications for the preservation of agricultural produce. Keywords: Chitin, Chitinase, Relative enzyme activity, Antifungal, Phytopathogen
Publication date: 01/05/2023

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2023/May/MS_IJBPAS_2023_7102.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2023/12.5.7102