Production and Stability of a Thermostable Chitinase

Abstract:

An extracellular chitinase from Thermomyces lanuginosus SY2 was produced when SY2 was grown in mineral liquid medium containing colloidal chitin as the only carbon source. The chitinase was stable at 50℃ for 1h, and the half-life time of the enzyme at 65℃ was 25 min. when it was kept at room temperature for 12 week, the chitinase activity was retained about 45% activity. The pH stability was kept in the range 3.0-9.0, and the enzyme was able to obtain 70% of the full activity, when the enzyme was incubated in the buffer (pH 2.5). The chitinase activity was enhanced obviously by metal ion Ca2+, but inhibited under the high content chemical reagents. The results suggested that the chitinase from Thermomyces lanuginosus SY2 was a novel enzyme due to its high activity and stability under the high temperature and acid environment, which make it applicable for biotransformation and other biotechnological purposes.