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The novel method for isolating chitinolytic bacteria and its application in screening for hyperchitinase producing mutant of Alcaligenes xylosoxydans
Author(s) -
Vaidya R.J.,
Macmil S.L.A.,
Vyas P.R.,
Chhatpar H.S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2003.01274.x
Subject(s) - chitinase , bacteria , chitin , alcaligenes , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , biology , agar plate , agar , enzyme , biochemistry , gene , chitosan , genetics , pseudomonas
Aims: To develop a novel, rapid and effective screening method for chitinase producing bacteria. Methods and Results: A simple and rapid technique for screening of potential chitinolytic bacteria has been developed using the chitin binding dye calcofluor white M2R in chitin agar. Microorganisms possessing high chitinolytic potential gave a clear zone under ultraviolet light after 24–48 h of incubation. This method was successfully applied for isolating the hyperchitinase mutant of Alcaligenes xylosoxydans . The mutant Alc. xylosoxydans EMS 33 was found to produce 3·4 times more chitinase than the wild type. Conclusions: In this study, the screening method for chitinase producing bacteria has been developed and it was applied to screen chitinase‐overproducing mutant of Alc. xylosoxydans . Significance and Impact of the Study: The novel screening method for chitinase producer is more sensitive, rapid, user‐friendly and reliable, which can also be used for screening of recombinants having chitinase gene.