Chitinase Producing Bacterial Dynamics among Different Chitin Exposed Sampling Sites

Background: Chitinase is used in pest management, as a biopesticide to protect plants from fungal infestations. The purpose of this study was to identify, isolate, and screen for bacteria that produce chitinase from soil surrounding a chitin-enriched location. Materials and Methods: 7 samples were taken from various geographical sites to get chitinase-producing bacteria with strong chitinolytic activity at temperatures fluctuation. Dilution plate was performed and zones of hydrolysis followed by incubation at 37ºC were used to select active strain. Submerged fermentation with different substrates was tested to sort out best isolates. The effect of temperature on enzyme production was applied for selection of most potent strain. All the data evaluated statistically using student t-test. Results: 7 promising chitinase producers isolated from 7 samples. 28.57% were gram negative and rest are gram positive isolates. Three isolates S3A, S4A and S4B found to produce chitinase under crabshell, chitin, colloidal chitin with significant shell degradation than other strains. Among the three isolated strains S3A found to be effective showed maximum enzyme activity at 15 and 55ºC in addition to 37ºC. The total protein was 2.834, 0.343, 0.182 mg/mL with chitnolytic activity of 27.0, 9.0, 6.4 U respectively at 37, 15 and 55ºC. Conclusion: Soil samples exposed to chitin have effective chitinase producer at 15 to 55ºC. The active isolates identified as genera of Citrobacter sp. (S3A) and Bacillus sp. (S4A and S4B) are potentially used in bio control of harmful fungi and insects.