Bioconversion of Colloidal Chitin Using Novel Chitinase from Glutamicibacter uratoxydans Exhibiting Anti-fungal Potential by Hydrolyzing Chitin Within Fungal Cell Wall

Background Chitin is a unique structural exopolysaccharide abundantly found in nature. This exopolysaccharide has a unique chemical structure that acts as a protective outermost covering for most of the crustaceans in aquatic ecosystem. This fortification is because of the insoluble nature of this exopolysaccharide which consist of a linear chain of beta-(1 -> 4)-linked-N-acetylglucosamine units. Chitin is hydrolyzed with the help of a hydrolase known as chitinase. Variety of microbial species have been explored for chitinase production. Chitinolytic microbial species can be alternatively used for degradation of chitin instead of chemical treatment in agricultural sector. This biological approach has lesser environmental impact because of its apparently safe nature. Result In the current study, bioprospecting of chitinase producing species was conducted and different chitinolytic bacterial strains were screened for chitinase production which could have anti-fungal potential. Bacterial isolates were identified based on polyphasic approach and the enzyme production was optimized usingone-variable-at-a-timetechnique. Hyphal extension method was used for determination of anti-fungal potential of chitinase.Glutamicibacter uratoxydanswas indigenously isolated and identified for chitinase production.G. uratoxydansis a novel bacterial species which has not been previously explored to produce chitinase or other hydrolases.G. uratoxydansbiosynthesized chitinase utilizing colloidal chitin as a sole source of carbon. The chitinase biosynthesized byG. uratoxydansis effectively potent againstAspergillus fumigatusthus, suggesting that this extracellular enzyme could be used for the treatment of fungal infection caused by filamentous fungi. [GRAPHICS] .