[Chitinase from Serratia marcescens BKM B-851].

The chitinase biosynthesis was studied during the cultivation of the strain of Serratia marcescens BKM B-851 with a high chitinolytic activity. Under submerged cultivation of bacterial cells on the medium containing demineralized crab shell extracellular chitinase showed maximum activity on the 3rd day. Cells of S. marcescens BKM B-851 synthesized chitinase as an adaptive enzyme. Chitinase obtained from the culture liquid by ammonium sulphate precipitation was then dialyzed and liophylized. It displayed optimum hydrolysis of colloid chitin at pH 7-8 and 50 degrees C and of native chitin at 30 degrees C.