Characterization of Extraceluller Chitinase Produced by Bacillus licheniformis JP2 from Penen Hot Springs, North Sumatera

Abstract

The research was about characterization of extraceluller chitinase produced by Bacillus licheniformis JP2 from Penen Hot Springs, North Sumatera. Precipitation of crude chitinase was performed with different levels of ammonium sulphate. Chitinase activity was determined colorimetrically by detecting the amount of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) released from colloidal chitin substrate with N-acetylglucosamine. Characterization of chitinase activity was measured at different pH, different temperature, K m and V max values. The optimum activity of chitinase was produced 4 days after incubation with chitinase activity of 0.0063 U/ml. Optimum chitinase activity was higher after 50% ammonium sulphate precipitation with activity of 0.0087 U/ml followed by decreasing in activity supernatant with activity of 0.0012 U/ml. Chitinase activity increased at pH 6 and at 60°C by 0.05066 U/ml with specific activity 3.8113 U/mg after dialysis. K m and V max values were 0.321 mg/ml and 71.429 µg, respectively.