Evaluation of Chitinolytic Bacteria from Two Aquatic Systems with Varied Trophic Structure

Chitin which is the second most abundant polymer in the earth after cellulose is the structural component besides being the outer skeleton in many organisms. Chitinases and N- acetyl glucosaminidases are the most common enzymes which help in degrading chitin. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the chitinolytic bacteria present in two different aquatic systems with different trophic status in Tiruchirappalli, Central Tamil Nadu. Results indicate that maximum number of chitinolytic bacteria was uniformly recorded in summer for both systems. Further, the percentage contribution of chitinolytic bacteria in terms of total heterotrophic bacteria was uniformly highest in presummer for both systems. While the less eutrophic system recorded 10 chitinolytic species, the eutrophic system recorded 13 species. There were similarities as well as uniqueness in the composition of chitinolytic species. Their presence in these systems reveals the significant role they play in degrading chitin in such water bodies.