In the absence of chitin, soil bacteria will metabolize another carbon source and stop making chitinase enzymes. They will resynthesize chitinases if chitin once again becomes a primary food source. This food source can naturally be provided by insects and certain fungi. However, if a chitin powder, derived from crabshell, lobster or shrimp waste is applied to the soil, the soil bacteria will begin to synthesize chitinase enzymes in an effort to degrade it. If the chitin powder is used as a food source for fermentor-grown bacteria, they will secrete huge amounts of chitinase enzymes in an effort to metabolize the chitin.
Chitin is the second most prevalent polymer on the face of the earth.
Cellulose is the first. If chitin is ground into a fine powder, the consistency of talcum powder, it can induce soil bacteria or fermentor-grown bacteria to secrete large amounts of chitinase enzymes. These enzymes are a natural biopesticide. The secret to this process concerns the processing of chitin waste. Chitin is a flexible polymer and it is difficult to fragment.