A newly chitinolytic Aeromonas strain, designated as ZD_05, was screened from marine environment of Bushehr, Persian Gulf. Optimization of cultural conditions for production of chitinase was conducted by keeping all of parameters constant except the one which was studied. Two hundred bacterial strains were isolated from different samples collected from Persian Gulf in bushehr, Iran and screened for production of chitinase enzyme. One isolate designated ZD_05 was identified as Aeromonas sp. based on morphological and biochemical characteristics along with 16s rRNA partial sequence analysis. This strain showed highest chitinolytic activity in media containing chitin as sole carbon source. The production of chitinase by this organism was optimized using different substrate concentrations, pH, temperature, incubation period and nitrogen sources. The maximum enzyme production by Aeromonas sp. ZD_05 was observed in colloidal chitin 1%, peptone 0.7%, pH 7, 30 °C and after three days of incubation. Therefore, this indigenous isolate could be considered merit as a potent chitinase producer for fishery industries and management of chitinous waste.
Aeromonas, Chitinase, Optimization, Screening
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