Abstract
IT has long been known that cellulose and chitin are broken down by many species of both bacteria and fungi that can be isolated from soil. It is probable that the soil fauna may also be important in this respect, for it is known that earthworms and eel-worms may possess both cellulase and chitinase1. Some soil amœbæ were examined to see whether they, too, possessed these enzymes.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Tracey, M. V., Nature, 167, 776 (1951); 2nd Int. Cong. Biochem., Paris, Résumés des Comm. 242 (1952).
Singh, B. N., Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., B, 236, 405 (1952).
Whittaker, D. R., Science, 116, 90 (1952). Tracey, M. V., Biochem. Soc. Symposia, 11, 49 (1953).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
TRACEY, M. Cellulase and Chitinase in Soil Amœbæ. Nature 175, 815 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/175815a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/175815a0
This article is cited by
-
Acanthamoeba and other free-living amoebae in bat guano, an extreme habitat
Parasitology Research (2016)
-
The microbial loop concept as used in terrestrial soil ecology studies
Microbial Ecology (1994)
-
Mycophagy, a new feeding strategy in autochthonous soil ciliates
Naturwissenschaften (1986)
-
Chitinase: An Addition to the List of Hydrolases in the Digestive Tract of Vertebrates
Nature (1961)
-
Untersuchungen �ber die Chitinasewirkung des insektent�tenden Pilzes Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill.
Archiv f�r Mikrobiologie (1961)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.