Chitinase Activity by Chitin Degrading Strain (Bacillus Salmalaya) in Shrimp Waste

Introduction: Chitin degradation by chitinase enzyme can be used on a large scale for bioremediation of seafood waste and is environmentally friendly. Objective: The main aim of this study was to screen the potential of the strain as a chitin degrading agent. Methods: In this present study, the cell-free supernatant of Bacillus salmalaya was determined for its protein concentration. Bacillus salmalaya139SI was isolated from agricultural soil and it was identified by staining technique and colony morphology. The production of chitinase by Bacillus salmalaya139SI was optimized under different concentrations of substrate, pH and temperature. Results: Strain 139SI exhibited strong hemolytic activity and the crude protein concentration of Bacillus salmalaya was 84.09mg/ mL with OD value 0.462. Strain 139SI were also screened on colloidal chitin agar medium supplemented with mineral salt. Chikinase production was determined by clear zones of hydrolysis produced after 7 days of incubation at 37°C. The maximum chitinase production was observed in Brain Heart Infusion broth supplemented with 1.0% colloidal chitin at pH 7 and temperature 35°C after four days of incubation. Chitinase activity was observed when high concentrations of crude extract of 139SI able to degrade shrimp shell by showing the degradation zone at day 4. Conclusion: From the results, we concluded that the Bacillus salmalayahas potential to be a biofunctional chitinase that could degrade complex polysaccharides present in the organic wastes and applicable in cleaning the environment.