Optimization of Colloidal Chitin and Inoculum Concentration in Chitinase Production by

Chitinase is an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of chitin. Bacteria is one of the sources for chitinase and the modification process of production are continously developed. Streptomyces sp. is one of Actinomycetes group that shows high activity in hydrolyzing chitin. This study aimed to find the optimal conditions of Streptomyces sp. PB2 for producing chitinase at various colloidal chitin (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%) and inoculum (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%) concentration in the chitin broth medium using Respons Surface Methodology (RSM). The examined parameters included Total Plate Count (CFU/ml) and chitinase activity (U/ml). Chitinase activity was statistically analyzed by MiniTab 17 to obtain a mathematical model, then were validated. The mathematical model of chitinase activity was Y = -0.000075 + 0.00056 K + 0.00067 I, with the optimum colloidal chitin concentration (K) of 1.5% and inoculum concentration (I) of 1.5%. The highest chitinase activity of 0.0019 U/ml in day-2 fermentation. The validation test showed that the mathematical model had a low accuracy with the SSE value of 0.5306. This study shows that colloidal chitin and inoculum concentration are important factors to be optimized. However, further model is needed to be developed for a better estimation of process