N,N-Diacetylchitobiose production from chitin by Vibrio anguillarum strain E-383a

Vibrio anguillarum strain E-383a, isolated from sea water, accumulated a considerable amount of N,N '-diacetylchitobiose when it was cultivated in a medium containing colloidal chitin. The maximum conversion of chitin to chitobiose was found to be 40·3%. The rate of chitobiose accumulation was accelerated after the cessation of bacterial growth. Small amounts of N -acetylglucosamine and N,N',N -triacetylchitotriose were also accumulated but no other saccharides were detected. These results may suggest that strain E-383a produces an exo-type chitinase which successively hydrolyses the glycosidic linkages of chitin into biose units. The exclusive accumulation of chitobiose by the bacterial cells may provide a new, selective method for the production of this substance.