Isolation of chitinase enzymes of three entomopathogenic fungi and their effect on third larval instar of Spodoptera exigua

In this study isolation and identification of entomopathogenic fungi that can produce chitinase enzymes was carried out as bioinsecticides for insect pest control. This research was conducted using a descriptive method that aims to determine and analyze the levels of chitinase enzymes found in entomopathogenic fungi that were successfully isolated. Isolation of entomopathogenic fungi was carried out by using traps of Tenebrio molitar caterpillar larvae. Entomopathogenic fungi that were isolated were Beauveria bassiana, Trichoderma koningii and Aspergillus niger. Isolated fungi were applied to Spodoptera exigua as chitin insect sources from chitin. Entomopathogenic fungal isolates were inoculated in liquid chitin media to detect the presence of chitinase enzymes. Based on the research that has been done, it was found that the three isolation fungi were proven to produce chitinase enzymes, this was seen in the stage of liquid chitin media culture. Liquid chitin media contains minimum nutrients, namely chitin chlialial as the main energy source for fungi. Chitinase enzyme can help fungi in describing chitin contained in the media. Chitinase activity was seen by the growth of isolated fungi. Extracts of coarse chitinase enzymes isolated from the method calculated by Bradford (1968) showed that Trichoderma koningii isolates produced the highest chitinase enzyme of 0.112 mg/ml. While the results of the mortality test for pest insects are highest in Aspergillus niger isolates. The conclusion shows that chitinase is not one of the causes of death in insect pests, so it is necessary to do further exploration related to substances produced by entomopathogenic fungi as bioinsecticides.