PRODUCTION OF CHITINASES AND BETA-1,3-GLUCANASES BY STACHYBOTRYS ELEGANS, A MYCOPARASITE OF RHIZOCTONIA-SOLANI

The in vitro production of chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases by Stach ybotrys elegans, a mycoparasite of Rhizoctonia solani, was examined un der various culture conditions, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, p H, and incubation period. Production of both enzymes was influenced by the carbon source incorporated into the medium and was stimulated by acidic pH and NaNO3. The activity of both enzymes was very low in cult ure filtrates from cells grown on glucose and sucrose compared with th at detected on chitin (for chitinases) and cell wall fragments (for be ta-1,3-glucanases). Protein electrophoresis revealed that, depending o n the carbon source used, different isoforms of chitinases and beta-1, 3-glucanases were detected. S. elegans culture filtrates, possessing b eta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities, were capable of degrading R. solani mycelium.