DNA-fingerprints and Phylogenetic Studies of Some Chitinolytic Actinomycete Isolates

Twenty-one chitinolytic actinomycete-isolates were isolated on chitin agar and were able to degrade chitin as sole carbon source. Total count of chitinolytic active actinomycetes (halo-forming colonies) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those non-active colonies (non -halo-forming colonies). Rizosphere of Alkanna orientalis plants grown in Saint Catherine area was better habitat for chitinolytic actinomycetes than other rhizospheres of tested plants grown in Suez Canal farm. Using RAPD analysis in an attempt to generate specific markers for chitinolylic actinomycete-isolates, we able to analyzed seven randomly polymorphic DNA primers against the most active chitinolytic actinomycete-isolates. Most of the primers used were useful in identifying unique DNA polymorphisms of all isolates tested. Thirty RAPD-PCR markers were found to be effective to be used as isolate-specific markers. Phylogenetic relationships between the isolates using previous technique (RAPD analysis) revealed that the isolates with higher similarity percent were belong to the same taxonomical group. Using standard techniques of actinomycete identification, morphological and physiological characterization, strengthened these results.