Regulation of production and some properties of chitinase produced by streptomyces cyaneogriseus strain.

ABSTRACT

Fourteen Streptomyces isolates were assayed for their chitinolytic activities. All the isolates were positive chitinase producers. Streptomyces cyaneogriseus in a 6-day-old shaken culture at 30 degree and an initial pH of 7.5 was the most promising chitinase producer. Chitinase yields increased as the amount of chitin in the culture Chitinase medium increased [0.5-2.0%] and the maximum activity was obtained with 1.5% colloidal chitin. The addition of yeast extract [0.3%] gave 47% increase in chitinase production and reduced the incubation period for five days. Some properties of the crude enzyme produced by St. cyaneogriseus were studied. A maximal enzyme activity was reached at pH of 6.5-7.0 and 40 degree for 30 min. The enzyme was stable below 50C and became completely inactive at 65C