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.