One-step purification of chitinase from Serratia marcescens NK1, a soil isolate.

AIMS

A simple single step technique of gel filtration was developed for the purification of chitinase from Serratia marcescens NK1.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Chitinase from Ser. marcescens NK1 was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography with 9.2% recovery. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 6.2 and a temperature optimum of 47 degrees C. It was stable in a wide pH range of 3.0 to 10.0, retaining 60% activity at pH 3.0 and 65% activity at pH 10.5. It retained 70% activity at 28 degrees C after 72 h and nearly 50% activity at 50 degrees C up to 24 h.

CONCLUSION

The chitinase from Ser. marcescens NK1 can be efficiently purified in a single step by gel filtration chromatography. The chitinase of Ser. marcescens NK1, a soil isolate, is highly stable and as active as that of other reported isolates of Ser. marcescens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This purification scheme is advantageous because of its simplicity and can therefore be applied for the purification of other enzymes. The yield is sufficient for initial characterization studies of the enzyme, and an improved resolution can be obtained if the chromatography is done under fast flow systems.