Biodegradation of chitinous substances and chitinase production by the soil actinomycete Streptomyces rimosus

► We isolated Streptomyces rimosus from agricultural soil. ► We determined biodegradation chitinous substances. ► We examined chitinolytic activity and we purified chitinase. ► Streptomyces rimosus utilizes the chitinous substances but the most efficiently chitosan and the shrimp shell waste. ► S. rimosus produces antifungal endochitinase.