Bacterial chitinases: properties and potential.

Chitin is among the most abundant biomass present on Earth. Chitinase plays an important role in the decomposition of chitin and potentially in the utilization of chitin as a renewable resource. During the previous decade, chitinases have received increased attention because of their wide range of applications. Chito-oligomers produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of chitin have been of interest in recent years due to their broad applications in medical, agricultural, and industrial applications, including antibacterial, antifungal, hypocholesterolemic, and antihypertensive activity, and as a food quality enhancer. Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, form one of the major sources of chitinase. In this article, we have reviewed some of the chitinases produced by bacterial systems that have gained worldwide research interest for their diverse properties and potential industrial uses.