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. 1987 Jul;53(7):1718–1720. doi: 10.1128/aem.53.7.1718-1720.1987

A rapid test for chitinase activity that uses 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide.

M O'Brien 1, R R Colwell 1
PMCID: PMC203942  PMID: 3662513

Abstract

A total of 101 strains of bacteria from environmental and clinical sources, most of which were gram negative, were tested for chitobiase activity by using a filter paper spot test with 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide as the substrate. The results were compared with those obtained by a conventional plate method for chitinase activity by using colloidal chitin as the substrate. There was excellent agreement in the results for both methods. The filter paper spot test with 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide has the advantages of being rapid, simple to perform, and inexpensive. This method should be adaptable to a wider range of microorganisms, particularly those with unusual growth requirements.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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