Substrate induction and statistical optimization for the production of chitosanase from Microbacterium sp. OU01

The chitosanase production was markedly enhanced by substrate induction, statistical optimization of medium composition and culture conditions by Microbacterium sp. OU01 in shake-flask. A significant influence of (NH4)2SO4, MgSO4 • 7H2O and initial pH on chitosanase production was noted with Plackett–Burman design. It was then revealed with the method of steepest ascent and response surface methodology (RSM) that 19.0 g/L (NH4)2SO4, 1.3 g/L MgSO4 and an initial pH of 2.0 were optimum for the production of chitosanase; colloidal chitosan appeared to be the best inducer for chitosanase production by Microbacterium sp. OU01. This optimization strategy led to the enhancement of chitosanase from 3.6 U/mL to 118 U/mL.