Optimal Conditions for Chitinase Production by Serratia marcescens

A chitinase-producing bacterium was isolated from seashore mud around Beobseongpo in Chunmam province through the use of a selective enrichment culture. The best chitinase producing strain was isolated and identified as Serratia marcescens KY from its characteristics. For effective production of chitinase, optimum pH, temperature, and agitation speed were investigated in flask cultures. The optimum pH using Serratia marcescens KY was between pH 6 and 7 and the chitinase produced was 37.9 unit/mL. On the other hand, the optimal pH of the Serratia marcescens ATCC 27117 was 7.5, and the produced amount of chitinase was 35.2 unit/mL. The optimal temperature for chitinase production for Serratia marcescens KY and Serratia marcescens ATCC 27117 was $30^{\circ}$. The cell growth pattern at different temperature was almost identical to the chitinase production. To investigate the optimal shaking speed under optimal culture, speeds were varied in the range of 0∼300 rpm. The maximum production of chitinase was carried at 200 rpm although the cell growth was the highest at 150 rpm. It indicates that oxygen adjustment is required for the maximum chitinase production. Using optimal conditions, batch cultures for comparing Serratia marcescens KY and Serratia marcescens ATCC 27117 were carried out in a 5 L fermentor. The oxygen consumption was increased with the increase of culture. Especially, at 120 h of culture Serratia marcescens KY and Serratia marcescens ATCC 27117 produced 38.3 unit/mL, and 33.5 unit/mL, respectively.