ABSTRACT

 Chitinase enzyme has received increased attention due to its wide range of biotechnological applications, especially in agriculture for biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi. In the present study, soil samples were collected aseptically from turmeric- rhizosphere and subjected to serial dilution to isolate bacteria strains. Total nine morphologically different bacteria were isolated and screened for their chitinolytic activity in colloidal chitin incorporated media through zone assay. Out of 9 fungal isolates, 4 isolates were found to produce clear zone when incubated in colloidal chitin-containing media. Among the strains, the A14 strain showed the largest hydrolysis halo after 4 days of incubation (19.0mm). The results also showed that the strains (AS) produced enzyme maximally at 1.0% and 1.5% of colloidal chitin with 21.7 U/ml and 28.4 U/ml. Accordingly, isolate A14 and AS produced 23.8U/ml and 28.4U/ml of enzyme respectively, at 1.5% concentration of chitin. Maximum chitinase production was obtained in 1.5% colloidal chitin concentration (Substrate) ranging between 19.1 U/ml to 28.4U/ml. The isolates produced highest maximal chitinase activity after 72hours and were ranging between 2 l .5U/ml and 31.8U/ml for the isolates. Enzyme production gradually increased in all strains after 48hours .