Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth after cellulose, is composed of β-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units. It is widely distributed in nature, especially as a structural polysaccharide in the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and nematodes. However, the principal commercial source of chitin is the shells of marine or freshwater invertebrates. Microbial chitinases are largely responsible for chitin breakdown in nature, and they play an important role in the ecosystem's carbon and nitrogen balance. Several microbial chitinases have been characterized and are gaining prominence for their applications in various sectors. The current review focuses on chitinases of microbial origin, their diversity, and their characteristics. The applications of chitinases in several industries such as agriculture, food, the environment, and pharmaceutical sectors are also highlighted.

• Klíčová slova
• Biopesticides, Endochitinases, Protoplasts, Single Cell Proteins (SCPs), Waste Management,
• MeSH
• bezobratlí metabolismus   MeSH
• chitin chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• chitinasy * MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• houby metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chitin MeSH
• chitinasy * MeSH

Inhabitants of the Indonesian island of Sumatra are faced with the problem of insufficient food supplies and the consequent risk of undernourishment and health issues. Edible insects as a traditional and readily available food source could be part of the solution. The nutritional value of insects depends on many factors, e.g., species, developmental stage, sex, diet, and climatic conditions. However, edible insects bred in Sumatra for human consumption have never before been assessed with regard to their nutritional value. Our study involved analyses of crude protein, chitin, fat and selected fatty acid contents of giant mealworm larvae (Zophobas morio), larvae of the common mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and nymphs of the field cricket (Gryllus assimilis). Crude protein content in the samples ranged from 46% to 56%. Highest (35%) and lowest (31%) amounts of fat were recorded in giant mealworm larvae and larvae of the common mealworm, respectively. Chitin amounts ranged from 6% to 13%. Based on these values, which are comparable to those known from other food insects reared in different regions of the world, the edible species bred in Sumatra could become food sources with a potential to help stave off hunger and undernourishment.

• Klíčová slova
• Gryllus assimilis, Indonesia, Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, amino acid profile, chitin, crude protein, edible insect, fats,
• MeSH
• brouci chemie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Gryllidae chemie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• larva chemie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nutriční hodnota * MeSH
• nymfa chemie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Tenebrio chemie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Indonésie MeSH