Optimization, Production and Antifungal Activity of Chitinase Produced by Trichoderma harezianum

Twelve of Trichoderma spp. Isolates were obtained from 30 soils samples collected from different crops fields in Baghdad city. Among them, isolate designated as TLT4 which produced highest chitinase activity in primary and secondary screenings was identified as Trichoderma harezianum. The high level of chitinase production was observed in chitinase production media (CPM) amended with 0.4% colloidal chitin with pH6, incubation temperature 30°C, incubation period 6 days, peptone as nitrogen source and inoculum size 1× 105 spore/ml using submerged cultures. The antifungal activity of crude T. harezianumchitinase was investigated against four dermatophytes ncluding: Trichophytonment agrophytes, T. rubrum, Microsporumcanis, M. gypsum. The crude chitinase was found to inhibit the growth of all dermatophytes tested with varying degrees. Clotrimazole drug was used to compare.