Production of Chitinase by Serratia marcescens from Soil and Its Antifungal Activity

Abstract

36 [90%] Serratia marcescens isolates were obtained out of 150 samples of soil, taken from different locations in a farm in Babylon city. The isolate that produced chitinase in higher level was chosen to purify chitinase through: ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purified chitinase has molecular weight 54000 Daltons by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Chitinase showed stronger inhibitory activity to Trichophyton rubrum, Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus.

Keywords: chitinase, Serratia marcescens, antifungal activity