Production, purification and characterization of chitosanase produced by Gongronella sp. JG

Abstract

AIMS: To optimize the production condition of chitosanases of Gongronella sp. JG and to characterize the major chitosanase. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the optimized medium and culturing condition, strain JG produced 800 micromol min(-1) l(-1) chitosanase activity at 72 h. The major chitosanase - csn1 was purified through three chromatography steps: CM (carboxymethyl)-Sepharose fast flow (FF), Sephacryl S200, SP (sulfopropyl)-Sepharose FF. The molecular weight and the pI value of csn1 were about 90,000 Da and 5 x 8, respectively. Its specific activity was 82 micromol min(-1) mg(-1). The optimal reaction pH for csn1 was between 4 x 6 and 4 x 8. The optimal reaction temperature was 50 degrees C. The half-life of csn1 at 50 degrees C was estimated to be about 65 min. Mn(2+) was a strong stimulator of csn1 activity, both at 1 and 10 mmol l(-1). csn1 showed its highest activity with chitosan of 85% degree of deacetylation, but did not hydrolyse colloidal chitin and carboxylmethyl cellulose. In 20 mmol l(-1) sodium acetate buffer (pH 4 x 8) and at 50 degrees C, the K(m) of csn1 was calculated to be 4 x 5 mg ml(-1). CONCLUSIONS: The production condition of chitosanases by Gongronella JG was optimized and the major chitosanase, csn1, was characterized. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present work for the first time reported the production, purification and characterization of chitosanases produced by fungus of Gongronella sp. These results provided us more information on fungal chitosanases.