Partial Characterization of Chitinolytic Extract from Endophytic Streptomyces sp. and Its Effects on the Boll Weevil

The present study achieves the biochemistry partial characterization of the chitinolytic extract produced by an endophytic Streptomyces sp. strain （A8）. This extract was also tested against Anthonomus grandis, the cotton boll weevil aiming its control. The chitinase crude extract from the A8 strain was cultured for five days in a minimum liquid media supplemented with chitin. The extract was partially characterized by standard methods. The chitinolytic extract had an optimum temperature of 66 ＂C and an optimum pH between 4 to 9 （around 80% of relative activity）. We also characterized the temperature and pH stability and measured the effects of enzyme inhibitors. The filtered chitinolytic extract was added to an artificial boll weevil diet. Boll weevil development from the egg stage to the adult stage was prolonged, and the percentage of adults that emerged was approximately 66% less than on control diet. This study showed that the.larval development of A. grandis was inhibited by the presence of characterized