Statistical optimization of medium components for the production of chitinase by Alcaligenes xylosoxydans

The nutritional medium requirement for chitinase production by Alcaligenes xylosoxydans IMI no. 385022 was optimized. The important medium components, identified by initial screening method of Plackett–Burman were Tween 20, yeast extract and chitin. Box–Behnken response surface methodology was applied to further optimize chitinase production. The optimal concentration for higher production of chitinase were (g/l): (NH4)2SO4, 1.0; KH2PO4, 1.36; MgSO4·7H2O, 0.3; Tween 20, 0.12; yeast extract, 0.3 and chitin, 15. Using this statistical optimization method, the chitinase production was found to increase from 12 to 29 U/ml.