Chitinase: a potent biocatalyst and its diverse applications

Chitin is an abundant, linear, insoluble β-1, 4-linked N-acetylglucosamine polymer (GlcNAc), found in the cuticles of insects, the cell walls of fungi and crustacean shells. Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes which catalyze the breakdown of chitin and are produced by a diverse range of microorganisms, plants, mammals and insects. Microbial chitinases are primarily in charge of breaking down chitin and are essential for maintaining an ecosystem's balance of carbon and nitrogen. They are gaining ground in the fields of medicine, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals and environmental management due to their vast range of applications. In contrast to chemical pesticides, they have shown their ability to act as biocontrol agents against a variety of pathogenic fungus and insect pests. Considering the essential role of chitinases as biopesticides and in a variety of industrial and medicinal applications, this review focusses on the basic structure of chitin and chitinases, different classes of chitinases, their sources, purification, characterization and latest developments in implementation of chitinases in various fields such as biomedical, agricultural, environmental, etc.