Current Perspectives on Chitinolytic Enzymes and Their Agro-Industrial Applications

Simple Summary Chitin is a polysaccharide that forms the outer layer of many organisms, and it is widely used in industry. Chitinases are enzymes that can break down chitin into monomeric molecules and are used in the agro-industrial sectors. Because chitin is the key structural component of marine (mollusks, crustaceans, and marine invertebrates) and other species (algae, fungi, and insects), chitinases can be employed in the marine waste management and biocontrol of pathogenic fungi and harmful insects. Chitinase also has uses in the food industry, cosmetics, medicine, waste management, crop protection, and the production of single-cell proteins, among others. This study includes detailed information on the characterization, sources, and uses of chitinases in several areas. Abstract Chitinases are a large and diversified category of enzymes that break down chitin, the world’s second most prevalent polymer after cellulose. GH18 is the most studied family of chitinases, even though chitinolytic enzymes come from a variety of glycosyl hydrolase (GH) families. Most of the distinct GH families, as well as the unique structural and catalytic features of various chitinolytic enzymes, have been thoroughly explored to demonstrate their use in the development of tailor-made chitinases by protein engineering. Although chitin-degrading enzymes may be found in plants and other organisms, such as arthropods, mollusks, protozoans, and nematodes, microbial chitinases are a promising and sustainable option for industrial production. Despite this, the inducible nature, low titer, high production expenses, and susceptibility to severe environments are barriers to upscaling microbial chitinase production. The goal of this study is to address all of the elements that influence microbial fermentation for chitinase production, as well as the purifying procedures for attaining high-quality yield and purity.