ICAR Research Data Repository for Knowledge Management

Chitosanases which catalyze the hydrolytic degradation of chitosan are to be regarded as important for the extensive carbon and nitrogen recycle which occurs in nature. Chitosanases occur widely in soil microorgan isms and in some plants, fulfilling a possible defense role in the 1atteE Chitosanases may find important
industrial application in the utilization of the enormous chitosan and chitin substrates, available from
sea-food-processing units, for the generation of the size-speciJic chitosan oligomers required particularly in
pharmaceutical industries. Chitosanases having very diverse characteristics are known and may be of value
in basic studies related to their biological role and the structural elucidation of natural chitosan.