Microbial Chitinases — Production, Characterization, Purification and their Biotechnological and Therapeutic Applications: An Integrated Review

Authors

  • Salma Yousif Sidahmed Elsheikh Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
  • George Saad Isaac Biological and Geological Sciences Department, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Heliopolis, P.C.11757, Cairo, Egypt
  • Mohammed-Elfatih Twfieg Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Ara-23 bia
  • Ali M. S. Eleragi Department of Microorganisms and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 21 61922, Saudi Arabia
  • Elhadi Miskeen Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Ara-19 bia
  • Assad Ali Rezigalla Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
  • Nermien H. Seddek Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences-Jubail 4030, Imam Abdulrahman Bin 16 Faisal University, Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia
  • Ishraga Izzeldin Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
  • Amani Abdelrazig Salman Abdelaziz Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
  • Ali M. Ali Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Medhat A. Abu-Tahon Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia and Biological and Geological Sciences Department, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Heliopolis, P.C.11757, Cairo, Egypt
  • Howayada M. Mostafa Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
  • Intisar K. Saeed Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
  • Yahia H. Ali Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
  • Sahar Algadi Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
  • Adaugo C. Isichei Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
  • Nada Daifalla Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahmad Mohammad Abdel‐Mageed Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
  • Manal M. Housseiny Biological and Geological Sciences Department, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Heliopolis, P.C.11757, Cairo, Egypt
  • Heba I. Aboelmagd Department of Basic Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year and Supporting Studies, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia

Keywords:

Chіtіnases, Microorganisms, Purification, Biological control, Chitooligosaccharides, Transgenic plants

Abstract

Chitin is the second most abundant natural polysaccharide after cellulose and consists of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. In nature, chitin does not accumulate due to the synergistic action of chitinolytic enzymes. Based on their catalytic domains, chitinases are classified into glycosyl hydrolase families GH18 and GH19. They are widely produced by bacteria and filamentous fungi. Different types of chitinolytic enzymes, including endochitinases, exo-acting enzymes, and N-acetylglucosaminidases, have been reported to exhibit antimicrobial and insecticidal activities, making them valuable tools for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and insect pests. Chitin degradation generates chitooligosaccharides (COS), which possess diverse biological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities, contributing to improved human health. Microbial chitinases are also applied in several industrial and environmental processes, including protoplast formation, single-cell protein production, and dye removal. Advances in recombinant expression and genetic engineering have enhanced chitinase production, stability, and catalytic efficiency. Moreover, recombinant chitinases have been successfully utilized in biocontrol strategies and in developing transgenic plants with increased resistance to phytopathogens. This review highlights the broad agricultural, industrial, and biomedical applications of chitinases and their crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability and advancing bio-based industrial processes.

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Published

2025-12-29 — Updated on 2026-02-02

How to Cite

Elsheikh , S. Y. S., Isaac, G. S., Twfieg , M.-E., Eleragi, A. M. S., Miskeen , E., Rezigalla , A. A., … Heba I. Aboelmagd. (2026). Microbial Chitinases — Production, Characterization, Purification and their Biotechnological and Therapeutic Applications: An Integrated Review. BioResources, 21(1), 2587–2632. Retrieved from https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/25213

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Scholarly Review