Abstract

Chitin-degrading marine bacterial strain 98CJ11027 was isolated from bryozoa from the coastal area of Cheju Island, Korea, and identified as a member of the genus Vibrio. The molecular mass of the main extracellular chitinase (chitinase I), purified from strain 98CJ11027, was estimated to be 98 kDa. The optimal condition for chitinase I activity is pH 6.0 and 45 C. The activity was inhibited by Fe^+2 and Cu^+2. Chitinase I displayed the hydrolysis type of chitobiosidase and catalyzed reversed hydrolysis leading to the synthesis of tetraacetylchitotetraose.

• Keywords: chitinase; purification; marine bacterium; Vibrio sp.