Decomposition of Chitin by Chytriomyces Species

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Various fungi were examined for evidence of ability to digest chitin. A phycomycete, Chytriomyces, produced obvious clear zones when grown on chitin agar and was selected for more detailed study. Chytriomyces was grown on a defined liquid medium containing highly purified chitin. Clearing of the medium was considered as visible evidence of chitin digestion. Reducing-sugar assays demonstrated a significant increase in the total reducing-sugar content of inoculated media over uninoculated controls, and an increase in protein content. This increase in reducing sugar was also considered as evidence of chitin digestion. Cell-free culture fluid of Chytriomyces grown on chitin was shown to have chitinase activity when incubated with purified chitin. No chitinase activity was observed in cell-free culture fluid of Chytriomyces grown with glucose in place of chitin. This indicates that the enzyme is induced. N-acetyl-glucosamine, a product of the hydrolysis of chitin, was identified by chromatographic means in filtered chitin-containing culture fluid.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: