Isolation and molecular characterization of chitinase-deficient Bacillus licheniformis strains capable of deproteinization of shrimp shell waste to obtain highly viscous chitin.

ABSTRACT: Proteolytic but chitinase-deficient microbial cultures were isolated from shrimp shell waste and characterized. The most efficient isolate was found to be a mixed culture consisting of two Bacillus licheniformis strains, which were first determined microscopically and physiologically. Molecular characterization was carried out by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene of both strains. According to the residual protein and ash content, the chitin obtained by fermentation of such a mixed culture was found to be comparable to a commercially available, chemically processed product. However, the strikingly high viscosity (80 versus 10 mPa of the commercially available sample) indicates its superior quality. The two strains differed in colony morphology and in their secretion capabilities for degradative

SUBMITTER: Waldeck J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1694268 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature