Characterization of nano chitin from shrimp shell waste after biosynthesis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an exterminator of Ganoderma sp.

Abstract

In the process of oil palm cultivation, one of the obstacles that have not been overcome so far is stem rot (BPB) caused by the fungus Ganoderma sp. Microorganisms that can inhibit the growth of Ganoderma sp. is a group of chitinolic bacteria capable of producing chitinase enzymes such as Pseudomonas aeruginase. Abundant shrimp shell waste can be used as a source of chitin, for this reason this research is important in utilizing bacteria in the biosynthesis process of chitin sources into nanochitin. This study aimed to optimize nanochitin as a controlling agent for Ganoderma sp. to oil palm plantations. We focused mainly on comparing between Physico-chemical properties of nano chitin before and after biosynthesis. We performed the product's characterization by various tools such as: UV-Visible spectroscopy, particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Fourier Transformed Infra-Red (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results of this study indicate that the optimum time for producing chitinase enzyme by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is 18 hours with the optimum concentration of sterile shrimp shell powder at 2% (w/v). Characterization of nanochitin based on particle size using Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) analysis showed that Pseudomonas was able to biosynthesize nanochitin up to an average size of 14.76 nm. The particle size based on SEM analysis shows that the sample is not homogeneous or not uniform. FTIR analysis showed that there was a wave range of 3200-3500 cm-1, it was known that the presence of N-H and in the wave range of 3200-3650 cm-1 indicated the presence of O-H indicating that the products produced were chitin and chitosan. Therefore, the nanochitin after biosynthesis open new excellent potency for controlling root rot disease caused by the fungus Ganoderma sp.