Kinetics of chitin deacetylase activation by the ionic liquid [Bmim][Br]

•At low concentration the [Bmim][Br] increased activity of chitin deacetylase.•Activation is caused by interaction of [Bmim][Br] with the enzyme rather than with chitosan.•Kinetics data suggest that [Bmim][Br] is a non-essential activator for chitin deacetylase.

Chitin deacetylase is the only known enzyme that can deacetylate the N-acetyl-d-glucosamine units in chitin and chitosan to D-glucosamine. Unfortunately, this enzyme, originally obtained from fungi, usually has low activity. Here, we present that it is possible to enhance the activity of chitin deacetylase using the ionic liquid [Bmim][Br]. An increase in activity of up to 160% from the basal chitin deacetylase activity was observed. Kinetic investigations suggest that [Bmim][Br] is a non-essential activator.