chitinolytic activity of native pseudomonas fluorescens strains

the chitinase producing ability of pseudomonas fluorescens strains viz., pf1, pb2 and fp7 was evaluated in a culture medium with and without a chitin source. the addition of 1% (v/v) chitin in culture medium significantly increased the bacterial population and chitinase activity. among three strains tested, fp7 responded well to the addition of chitin by producing 31.2% increased chitinase in culture. western blot analysis with chitinase antibody detected six and five chitinase isoforms in culture inoculated with fp7 and pf1, respectively.