[Crawl-Date: 2026-05-15] [Source: DataJelly Visibility Layer] [URL: https://bio-greenlab.com/en/chitinases] --- title: Chitinases: enzymes for biological control | Bio-Green Lab description: Complete scientific guide to chitinases: definition, GH18/GH19/GH20 families, enzymatic mechanism, biotechnological applications and the Q-100 chitinase by Bio-Green Lab. url: https://bio-greenlab.com/en/chitinases canonical: https://bio-greenlab.com/en/chitinases og_title: Chitinases: enzymes for biological control | Bio-Green Lab og_description: Complete scientific guide to chitinases: definition, GH18/GH19/GH20 families, enzymatic mechanism, biotechnological applications and the Q-100 chitinase by Bio-Green Lab. og_image: https://bio-greenlab.com/og-default.png twitter_card: summary_large_image twitter_image: https://bio-greenlab.com/og-default.png --- # Chitinases: enzymes for biological control | Bio-Green Lab > Complete scientific guide to chitinases: definition, GH18/GH19/GH20 families, enzymatic mechanism, biotechnological applications and the Q-100 chitinase by Bio-Green Lab. --- ## Chitinases: the enzyme transforming biological control A complete, science-based guide to chitinase enzymes — what they are, how they work, why they outperform conventional chemicals, and how Bio-Green Lab produces them at industrial scale through Q-100. ## What are chitinases? Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes (EC 3.2.1.14) that catalyze the cleavage of β-1,4 glycosidic bonds in chitin, releasing chito-oligosaccharides and ultimately N-acetylglucosamine (NAG). They are produced naturally by bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, crustaceans and even mammals — wherever chitin needs to be remodeled, recycled or attacked. Within the CAZy classification system, chitinases belong primarily to the glycoside hydrolase families GH18 (most bacteria, fungi, insects and mammals), GH19 (mainly plants and some bacteria) and GH20 (β-N-acetylhexosaminidases that complete the hydrolysis to monomers). This functional diversity is what makes chitinases such a powerful biotechnological platform. ## Chitin: the substrate Chitin is a linear biopolymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units linked by β-1,4 bonds. It is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature after cellulose, with an estimated annual biosynthesis above 100 billion tons. Despite this abundance, chitin is essentially absent from mammals and higher plants, which makes it an extraordinarily selective target. - Cell walls of phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium, Botrytis, Sclerotinia, Alternaria, Rhizoctonia) - Cuticle of nematodes and arthropods (mites, ticks, insects, crustaceans) - Egg shells of nematodes and certain insects - Peritrophic matrix of insect digestive tracts Targeting chitin therefore strikes the structural integrity of pests and pathogens without affecting crops, livestock or beneficial fauna. ## Enzymatic mechanism Chitinases hydrolyze the β-1,4 bond between two N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units. They are functionally classified as: - **Endo-chitinases**: cleave internal bonds randomly along the polymer chain, producing chito-oligosaccharides of variable length. - **Exo-chitinases**: act on the chain ends, releasing dimers (chitobiose) progressively. - **β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (GH20)**: complete the hydrolysis of chitobiose into monomers of N-acetylglucosamine. In a real biological synergy, these activities work together to dismantle the chitinous structure of the target organism. The result is mechanical-structural failure: the fungal cell wall loses rigidity and lyses; the nematode cuticle ruptures; the arthropod cannot complete molting. This is not a metabolic toxicity — it is a structural one, which is precisely why classical resistance does not develop. ## Families and 3D structure Scientific visualization of the chitinase enzyme ![3D Chitinase structure (TIM-barrel fold)](https://bio-greenlab.com/assets/chitinase-protein-3d-DyTewJsM.png) ## 3D Chitinase structure (TIM-barrel fold) ![Active site and catalytic residues](https://bio-greenlab.com/assets/molecular-structure-D579KDWh.png) ## Active site and catalytic residues - **GH18**: TIM-barrel (β/α)8 fold. Substrate-assisted retaining mechanism. Found in bacteria, fungi, insects, mammals. - **GH19**: Lysozyme-like α-helical fold. Inverting mechanism. Predominantly in plants and Streptomyces. - **GH20**: β-N-acetylhexosaminidases that release the final NAG monomer. ## Biotechnological applications ## Agriculture Control of phytopathogenic fungi and nematodes by attacking cell walls and cuticles. [Learn more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog/quitinasas-hongos-fitopatogenos) ## Livestock Enzymatic action on ticks, mites and other ectoparasites with chitinous exoskeleton. [Learn more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog/quitinasa-garrapata-bovina-rhipicephalus) ## Poultry Environmental management of red mite and fungal load in sheds, without residual chemicals. [Learn more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/poultry) ## Urban pest control Biological intelligence against bedbugs, cockroaches, ants and termites. [Learn more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog/ciclo-chinches-cucarachas-control-biologico) ## Bioremediation Recycling of chitinous waste from the fishing industry into high-value bio-products. ## Food industry Production of chito-oligosaccharides and N-acetylglucosamine with functional properties. ## Advantages over synthetic chemicals Structural selectivity — acts only where chitin exists No metabolic selective pressure → minimal resistance No chemical residues in food, soil or water Biodegradable: breaks down into amino acids and NAG Compatible with organic systems and bio-inputs Innocuous to mammals, higher plants and pollinators ## Industrial production: Q-100 Q-100 is Bio-Green Lab's biotechnology-grade chitinase, produced through controlled microbial fermentation and purified to maintain a stable enzymatic activity in aqueous solution. It is offered as an active ingredient in four concentrations — Q-10, Q-25, Q-50 and Q-100 — to suit prototyping, commercial formulation, and high-performance industrial applications. Each batch is subject to enzymatic activity quality control to guarantee performance reproducibility. Q-100 is not a finished product: it is designed to be integrated into formulations developed by partners, customers and research institutions. [Explore Q-100](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/product) [Request technical info](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/contact) ## Research and references ## Chitinases: An update Hamid R, Khan MA, Ahmad M, et al. J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2013 ### Microbial chitinases: potential biotechnological applications Bhattacharya D, Nagpure A, Gupta RK. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, 2007 ### Chitinases for the bioindustry Yan N, Chen X. Engineering Life Sciences, 2015 ### Plant chitinases and their roles in resistance to fungal diseases Grover A. J Plant Pathol Microbiol, 2012 ### Insect chitinases: biochemistry, molecular biology and potential as biopesticides Kramer KJ, Muthukrishnan S. Insect Biochem Mol Biol, 1997 ### Chitin and chitinase: Role in pathogenicity, allergenicity and health Patil RS, Ghormade V, Deshpande MV. Int J Biol Macromol, 2000 ### GH18 and GH19 chitinases: structural and functional diversity Funkhouser JD, Aronson NN. BMC Evol Biol, 2007 ### Chitinolytic enzymes: an overview of recent advances Adrangi S, Faramarzi MA. Biotechnol Adv, 2013 ### Chitinase mediated destructive antagonistic potential Karthik N, Binod P, Pandey A. Bioresour Technol, 2015 ### Trichoderma chitinases and their role in mycoparasitism Harman GE. Phytopathology, 2006 ## Frequently asked questions What exactly is a chitinase? A chitinase is a hydrolytic enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of β-1,4 glycosidic bonds in chitin, releasing chito-oligosaccharides and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG). It belongs to the glycoside hydrolases (families GH18, GH19, GH20). Do chitinases generate resistance in pests? Not in the same way as chemical pesticides. Chitinases act on an essential physical structure (chitin) rather than on a specific metabolic pathway. This dramatically reduces the classical selective pressure that drives resistance. Are they safe for humans, plants and mammals? Chitinases are biodegradable enzymes with no activity on mammalian tissues or plant cellulose. Their substrate (chitin) is essentially absent from plants and mammals. What is the difference between chitinase, chitosan and chitin? Chitin is the structural biopolymer; chitosan is its partially deacetylated derivative; chitinase is the enzyme that degrades chitin. They are three distinct chemical entities with distinct uses. Can they be combined with other bio-inputs? Yes. Chitinases are highly compatible with beneficial bacteria and fungi (Trichoderma, Bacillus), botanical extracts and integrated management systems. Tank-mix pH and temperature should always be validated. How are they stored? Refrigeration (4–10 °C), avoiding freezing, prolonged UV exposure or temperatures above 40 °C. A stabilized aqueous solution preserves activity for months under these conditions. Which organisms do they act on? On any biological structure containing chitin: cell walls of phytopathogenic fungi, nematode cuticle, arthropod exoskeleton (mites, ticks, insects) and chitin-shelled eggs. Is Q-100 registered as a pesticide? No. Q-100 is a biotechnology-grade active ingredient, not a finished product. The integrator is responsible for the final formulation and applicable regulatory compliance. Q-100 is an active ingredient, not a finished product. We do not make health, veterinary or phytosanitary claims. The end user is responsible for the development, validation and regulatory compliance of any formulation that integrates this ingredient. ## Latest Articles Research and applied science from our laboratory [View all](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog) ![Mexican Biotech Innovation: the new standard in pest control](https://bio-greenlab.com/src/assets/persona-con-animales.jpg) Biotechnology Apr 22, 2026 ## Mexican Biotech Innovation: the new standard in pest control Bio-Green Lab introduces Q-100, an ultra-purified chitinase (>99%) from Trichoderma sp. with 15+ years of R&D. A B2B active ingredient to replace agrochemicals with no genetic resistance. [Read more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog/mexican-biotech-innovation-pest-control) ![The New Farm Pandemic: when pests and climate devastate food security](https://bio-greenlab.com/src/assets/cientifico-con-planta.jpg) Agriculture Apr 22, 2026 ## The New Farm Pandemic: when pests and climate devastate food security In 2026, climate-accelerated pathogens and regulatory paralysis threaten entire harvests. Analysis of the crisis and the transition toward sustainable plant health. [Read more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog/farm-pandemic-pests-climate-food-security) Biotechnology Apr 22, 2026 ## The endless cycle of bedbugs and cockroaches: how to break it from the biological root Why conventional chemical fumigation fails against ootheca and eggs, and how chitinase Q-100 dismantles the structural barrier that protects the nest without generating resistance. [Read more](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog/cockroach-bedbug-cycle-biological-control) [View all articles](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog) ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://bio-greenlab.com/#organization","name":"Bio-Green Lab","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com","logo":"https://bio-greenlab.com/favicon.png","email":"aurelio@bio-greenlab.com","telephone":"\u002B522299784838","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/BioGreenLabMx/"],"description":"Empresa mexicana de biotecnolog\u00EDa especializada en enzimas quitinasa (chitinases) para agricultura, ganader\u00EDa, avicultura y control de plagas.","foundingDate":"2011","areaServed":{"@type":"Country","name":"M\u00E9xico"},"knowsAbout":["Quitinasa","Chitinase","Enzimas","Biotecnolog\u00EDa","Control biol\u00F3gico","GH18","GH19","Bioinsumos"],"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"Veracruz","addressCountry":"MX"}},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://bio-greenlab.com/#website","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com","name":"Bio-Green Lab","inLanguage":"es-MX","publisher":{"@id":"https://bio-greenlab.com/#organization"},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://bio-greenlab.com/blog?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bio-Green Lab","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com","logo":"https://bio-greenlab.com/favicon.png","email":"aurelio@bio-greenlab.com","telephone":"\u002B522299784838","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/BioGreenLabMx/"],"foundingDate":"2011","areaServed":{"@type":"Country","name":"M\u00E9xico"},"knowsAbout":["Quitinasa","Chitinase","Enzimas","Biotecnolog\u00EDa","Control biol\u00F3gico","GH18","GH19","Bioinsumos"],"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"Veracruz","addressCountry":"MX"},"description":"Mexican biotechnology company specializing in chitinase enzymes for agriculture, livestock, poultry, and pest control."},{"@type":"WebPage","name":"Chitinases: enzymes for biological control","description":"Complete scientific guide to chitinases: definition, GH18/GH19/GH20 families, enzymatic mechanism, biotechnological applications and the Q-100 chitinase by Bio-Green Lab.","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com/en/chitinases","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com"},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".speakable-headline",".speakable-value-prop"]}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Inicio","item":"https://bio-greenlab.com"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Chitinases","item":"https://bio-greenlab.com/en/chitinases"}]},{"@type":"Product","name":"Q-100 Chitinase Enzyme","sku":"Q-100","mpn":"Q-100","description":"High-concentration chitinase enzyme for agricultural, livestock, poultry, and urban pest control applications.","brand":{"@type":"Brand","name":"Bio-Green Lab"},"manufacturer":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bio-Green Lab","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com","logo":"https://bio-greenlab.com/favicon.png","email":"aurelio@bio-greenlab.com","telephone":"\u002B522299784838","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/BioGreenLabMx/"],"foundingDate":"2011","areaServed":{"@type":"Country","name":"M\u00E9xico"},"knowsAbout":["Quitinasa","Chitinase","Enzimas","Biotecnolog\u00EDa","Control biol\u00F3gico","GH18","GH19","Bioinsumos"],"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"Veracruz","addressCountry":"MX"},"description":"Mexican biotechnology company specializing in chitinase enzymes for agriculture, livestock, poultry, and pest control."},"category":"Enzymatic bioinputs","url":"https://bio-greenlab.com/en/product","image":"https://bio-greenlab.com/favicon.png","offers":{"@type":"Offer","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","priceCurrency":"MXN","seller":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bio-Green Lab"}},"additionalProperty":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Concentrations","value":"Q-100, Q-50, Q-25, Q-10"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Origin","value":"Mexican biotechnology"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Type","value":"Recombinant chitinase enzyme"}]},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What exactly is a chitinase?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A chitinase is a hydrolytic enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of \u03B2-1,4 glycosidic bonds in chitin, releasing chito-oligosaccharides and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG). 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The integrator is responsible for the final formulation and applicable regulatory compliance."}}]}]} ``` ## Discovery & Navigation > Semantic links for AI agent traversal. * [What are chitinases?](#que-son) * [Chitin: the substrate](#quitina) * [Enzymatic mechanism](#mecanismo) * [Families and 3D structure](#familias) * [Biotechnological applications](#aplicaciones) * [Advantages over chemicals](#ventajas) * [Industrial production: Q-100](#q100) * [Research and references](#referencias) * [FAQ](#faq) * [Home](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/) * [About Us](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/about) * [Product](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/product) * [Applications](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/applications) * [Chitinases](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/chitinases) * [Blog](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/blog) * [Contact](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/contact) * [Livestock](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/livestock) * [Agriculture in Greenhouses and Open Fields](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/agriculture) * [Poultry](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/poultry) * [Pest Control](https://bio-greenlab.com/en/pest-control) * [aurelio@bio-greenlab.com](mailto:aurelio@bio-greenlab.com) * [+52 229 978 4838](https://wa.me/522299784838) * [Privacy Policy](https://bio-greenlab.com/privacidad) * [Terms and Conditions](https://bio-greenlab.com/terminos)