Research and application progress in archaeal chitinases

Abstract:

Chitin is the second most abundant natural biopolymer on Earth after cellulose, primarily derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans. With the rapid development of the seafood processing industry, large amounts of chitin-rich waste are being generated. Chitinases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, are widely distributed across all three domains of life and can degrade chitin into chitooligosaccharides or monosaccharides with diverse biological activities. Archaea, as prokaryotes that typically inhabit extreme environments, produce chitinases with exceptional stability and tolerance, demonstrating unique advantages in industrial catalysis and biotransformation. However, studies on archaeal chitinases remain limited. This review systematically elucidates the enzymatic degradation process of chitin and the catalytic mechanisms of chitinases, with a particular focus on the domain organization and enzymatic properties of archaeal chitinases. In addition, we analyze the distribution and classification of archaeal chitinases and discuss their potential applications in biomanufacturing, medicine, and agricultural biocontrol. Moreover, we summarize the current limitations in functional studies of archaeal chitinases and point out the key challenges and future directions for promoting industrial applications.