NOVEL CHITINOLYTIC ENZYMES WITH BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY AGAINST HERBIVOROUS INSECTS

The soil bacteria, Streptomyces albidoflavus, secretes endochitinases and chitobiosidases that are active over a broad range of pH (4-10). I ngestion of this mixture of chitinolytic enzymes significantly reduced the growth and development of Trichoplusia ni and significantly reduc ed survival of Myzus persicae, Bemisia argentifolii, and Hypothenemus hampei. Perfusion chromatography was used to separate endochitinases f rom chitobiosidases. The endochitinases had significantly greater biol ogical activity against Bemisia argentifolii than the chitobiosidases. The utility of chitinolytic enzymes as regulators of populations of h erbivorous insects is discussed.