Chitin biodegradation in sand dunes

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Abstract

Chitin membranes, chitosan membranes and crab shells were buried in a sand dune, and digested completely within 60 days in the summer season. They absorbed water up to five times their weight and were degraded by soil chitinase. The chitin membrane was more digestible than the chitosan membrane. An enhanced chitinase activity was found in the seedling growth of black-pine seeds coated with a depolymerized chitosan (Mr 3,000–5,000), and the activity 1.3–1.5 times higher than that of uncoated seeds. We discuss the ecological significance in connection of chitinous materials with plant tissues.

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