Chitinase activity and 16S-rRNA qPCR quantification during microcosm enrichment.

<p>Panel A displays chitinase assays performed with synthetic substrates on soil aqueous extracts. Activity was measured by quantification of the fluorescence release by the 4-Methylumbelliferon (4 MU) after specific cleavage of exo- and endochitinases. Enzyme activity is expressed in chitinase unity detected per gram of soil during incubation time (1 U = 1 µmole 4 MU released per minute). Panel B shows 16S-rRNA gene copies detected by qPCR per gram of soil. Results were normalized with obtained DNA yields and expressed per gram of soil. The enrichment kinetic is represented in days. In both panels, chitin concentration is represented by darker gray nuance: light grey (low chitin dose 1×), dark grey (high chitin dose 10×) and white (control 0×). The error bars are representing the standard deviation observed in the 3 microcosm replicates (SD).