The role of microorgansisms in maintaining the chitin balance in the Barents Sea

Abstract

In this study, we investigated chitin hydrolysis by the bacteria inhabiting the ground of the Barents Sea. Four microbial cultures isolated from the ground were described as the genera of Rhodococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Acinetobacter sp. Protein complexes with endochitinase and exochitinase activities were purified from the culture liquid. These microorganisms can participate in chitin degradation in sea water. The average molecular weight of the protein fraction with the chitinolytic activity constituted 92–135 kDa. The ratio of the endo-/exochitinase activities of the enzymatic systems was increased in the order Pseudomonas sp. < Bacillus sp. < Acinetobacter sp. < Rhodococcus sp.