Chitinases are employed to the conversion of chitin and are produced by a wide range of bacteria. The objective of this study was to isolate chitinase-producing microorganisms with high chitinolytic activity. A thermostable alkaline chitinase producing isolate strain CQNU6-2 was obtained from soil samples and showed potential in biodegradation of shrimp shell wastes. The optimal culturing conditions of isolate CQNU6-2 is at 25°C and pH 7 for 24 h. The chitinase produced by strain CQNU6-2 exhibited maximum activity at pH 6.0 and 40°C and it could tolerate the treatment of high temperature (up to 80°C) and high pH (over 10). Taxonomic study, based on biochemical and morphological analysis and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA, showed that strain CQNU6-2 was belongs to the genus Aeromonas sp. The isolate can effectively hydrolyze colloidal chitin with degradation rate of 100% and also can directly degrade the shrimp shells. Ammonium sulfate precipitation method can be used to preliminary purify the chitinase. In conclusion, strain CQNU6-2 had a promising potential for biodegradation of chitin under harsh pH or temperature conditions and could be employed to the comprehensive utilization of shrimp shell wastes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.