Abstract

Serratia marcescens strain was isolated at the laboratory from decomposed stalk of paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) by using swollen chitin as a source of carbon. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of the bacterium were studied. The bacterium showed exponential growth up to 18 h after inoculation in batch culture. The maximum enzyme production by the bacterium was analyzed at 92 h of inoculation at 30°C. Similarly, with respect to different concentration of chitin, the minimal medium supplemented with 1.75% of swollen chitin produced maximum amount of chitinase enzyme. Therefore, the present study showed that isolated bacterium is a good source of chitinase. Moreover, though the bacterium was grown at the cheaper medium, the enzyme can be used for biodegradation of chitinous wastes as well as biological control of fungal pathogen at cheaper cost.

Key words: Chitin, chitinase, swollen chitin, Serratia marcescens.