Role of Bacillus pumilus chitinases in antifungal activity against Pseudocercospora fijiensis Morelet

The investigation was aimed at determining the role of Bacillus pumilus CCIBP-C5 chitinases in the in vitro interaction with P. fijiensis. For this, the chitinase activity of CCIBP-C5 culture filtrate and the antifungal effect of the bacterial metabolites against Pseudocercospora fijiensis were determined from the use of a culture medium based on colloidal chitin. In all cases it was compared with the results obtained in the culture medium Nutrient Broth (NB). As a result, an increase in the production of total proteins and a greater chitinase activity was observed, as well as affectations to the mycelium and loss vitality of P. fijiensis in relation to the NB culture medium. Therefore, chitinolysis appears to be one mechanism of biological control by strain CCIBP-C5 against P. fijiensis.