Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.) |
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Authors: | E Danulat H Kausch |
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Institution: | Institut fur Hvdrobiologie und Fischereiwissenschaft, Zeiseweg 9, 2000 Hamburg 50, F.R.G. |
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Abstract: | The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained. - (1)
Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents. - (2)
Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca. - (3)
The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively. - (4)
The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.
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