Chitinolytic Bacillus subtilis Ege-B-1.19 as a biocontrol agent against mycotoxigenic and phytopathogenic fungi

Background: Biological control of pathogenic fungi is a possible alternate to the chemical control, which is harmful to humans and environment. Soil-borne Bacillus strains can be potential biocontrol agents and a source of lytic enzymes. Aim: This study aimed to examine biocontrol potential and lytic enzyme activities of a soil isolate Bacillus subtilis Ege-B-1.19. Materials and methods: Strain was identified by biochemical and 16S rRNA gene analysis and its biocontrol activity was investigated against Aspergillus niger EGE-K-213, Aspergillus foetidus EGE-K-211, Aspergillus ochraceus EGE-K-217, Fusarium solani KCTC6328, Rhizoctonia solani KACC40111 and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides KACC40689. Chitinase, chitosanase, N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and protease activities of B. subtilis Ege-B-1.19 were also determined. Chitosanase was purified using Sephadex G-150 column and its molecular weight was determined by SDS-PAGE. Chitooligosaccharides production using chitosanase was carried out and analysed by TLC and HPLC. Results: Results depicted that B. subtilis Ege-B-1.19 has shown inhibitory effects against all the test fungi. Chitinase, chitosanase, N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and protease activities were determined as 2.7 U mL(-1), 7.2 U 6.2 U mL(-1) and 12.2 U mL(-1), respectively. Molecular weight of purified chitosanase was 44 kDa. Chitosanase hydrolysed chitosan to glucosamine (GlcN), dimers (GlcN)(2) and trimers (GlcN)(3). Conclusion: Bacillus subtilis Ege-B-1.19 can be anticipated as useful biocontrol agent and its chitosanase can be utilized for enzymatic synthesis of chitooligosaccharides.