PROMOTION EFFECT OF ALGINATE ON CHITINASE PRODUCTION BY WASABIA-JAPONICA

When alginate (1.0 g/l) was added to Wasabia japonica cell culture, ce ll growth was slightly inhibited (11-17%) but both the chitinase produ ction and the specific chitinase productivity increased. Similar resul ts were also observed when chitosan (1.0 g/l), which is well known as an elicitor, was added to the culture. These results suggest that algi nate act as a kind of elicitor. Promotion effect of alginate on chitin ase production was more remarkable when low molecular weight alginate (oligomer) was used. In comparison with free cells, addition of algina te to W. japonica protoplast culture resulted to 3 times increase in t he chitinase productivity.