The chitinolytic activity of Penicillium janthinellum P9: purification, partial characterization and potential applications

Aims: To purify and characterize the chitinolytic activity of Penicillium j anthinellum P9 and to evaluate possible uses of the purified enzymes in the control of fungal growth and spore germination. Methods and Results: The chitinolytic activity of P. janthinellum P9 was as sociated to two beta -N-acetyl-hexosaminidases (CHI1 and CHI2) that were pu rified by preparative isoelectric focusing and preparative electrophoresis and partially characterized. Treatment of test fungi with purified enzyme s olutions caused reduced spore germination, reduction of hyphal length and m ycelial damage. The combined action of the two enzymes and a systemic fungi cide completely inactivated pests and food-spoiling moulds such as Fusarium solanii, P. canescens and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Treatment with the two enzymes increased germination of freeze-dried fungal spores. Conclusions: The chitinolytic activity of P. janthinellum P9 is associated with two extracellular beta -N-acetyl-hexosaminidases that can cause damage to the cell walls of other fungi. Significance and Impact of the Study: This appears to be the first report o n the characterization of extracellular chitinolytic enzymes produced by a Penicillium strain. The results of this study might have some impact in the applied research field.