Antifungal activity of chitinase produced by Streptomyces species isolated from grassland soils in Futa Area, Akure

Abstract Background This study was carried out to investigate the antifungal activity of chitinase produced by Streptomyces species isolated from grassland soils against selected pathogenic fungi, namely: Magnaporthe oryzae , Fusarium graminearum Rhizoctonia solani Puccinia and Botyrtis cinerea . Chitinase albus purified consecutively with dialysis, gel filtration ion- exchange chromatography, test isolate can be exploited for large scale production chitinase. Results Seven ( rimosus, S. albus, riseoflavus, fumosus, spiralis, aureofaciens flavogriseus) three different were screened based on morphology their ability produce S rimosus fumosus flavogriseus able chitinase, although enzyme found higher in The effect environmental factors determined being best chitinolytic producing isolate. Temperature 30 ο C favourable pH 6.0 a growth factor maximum production. stimulated addition metal ions like Mn 2+ K + Na Mg Fe Ca but Zn inhibited activity. favoured maltose as carbon source NH 4 (SO ) 2 nitrogen source. Culture filtrate inhibit all fungi namely whereas has least inhibitory Conclusions highest which act degradation cell wall many phytopathogenic fungi.