식물 병원성 사상균 세포벽의 주성분인 chitin을 분해하는 미생물을 토양에서 분리, 선발하여 동정하고 이들의 효소적 성질을 조사하였다. 선발균 Serratia (S) marcescens는 식물 병원성 사상균인 Fusarium (F) axysporum과 Rhizoctomia (R) solani에 대해 길항력은 갖고 있었으며 효소적으로 chitinase 외에 laminarinase 및 protease 등의 활성을 가지고 있었다. 선발 균주의 chitinase 생산 최적조건은 chitin broth 기본배지의 조성과 온도 및 배양시간을 변형하여 조사한 결과 colloidal chitin 1.5%, tryptone 0.5%, glucose 1%, peptone 0.2%, $MgSO_4{cdot}7H_2O;0.1%,;K_2HPO_4;0.1%,;NaCl;0.1%$ (w/v), pH 6.8 배지에서 $30^{circ}C$, 72시간 배양하였을 때이었으며 효소의 in vitro 최적 활성조건은 pH 7.5, $50^{circ}C$이었다. 한편 여러 무기이온 중에서 $Ag^+$와 $Mn^{++}$은 효소의 활성을 촉진시켰다.
Serratia marcescens CK-3, decomposing chitin which is a mar component of cell wall in phyitopathogenic fungi, was isolated from the continuous cropping rhizosphere of pepper and cucumber and its enzymatic property was examined. S. marcescens CK-3 was found tn have an tagonistic effects against, Fusarium axysporum and Rhizoctonia solani and to have complex enzyme system such as chitinase, laminarinase, and proteinase. The preferable composition of the medium for production of chitinase was fond and was as follows : colloidal chitin 1.5%, tryptone 0.5%, glucose 1.0%, peptone 0.2%, $MgSO_4{cdot}7H_2O;0.1%,;K_2HPO_4;0.1%,;and;NaCl;0.1%$(w/v), pH 6.8. The maximum enzyme production was observed after culture of 72 hours at $30^{circ}C$ using a medium containing the above chemical composition. The optimal pH and temperature for in vitro activity of chitinase from S. marcescens CK-3 were pH 7.5 and $50^{circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme activity in-creased by metal ions such as$Ag^+$ and $Mn^{++}$.
