10.22376/ijpbs.2019.10.1.p1-12 Volume 4 Issue 2 2013 (April - June) Chitinases are group of enzymes which play a significant role in degrading chitin. The present study explores the natural ability of the bacteria to utilize chitin as a source of energy. Soil samples were screened for chitinolytic organisms and strain which produced highest chitinolytic activity was selected. Biochemical analysis revealed that the isolate belongs to the genus lessThan i greaterThan Bacillus lessThan /i greaterThan . It was identified upto the species level as lessThan i greaterThan Bacillus licheniformis, lessThan /i greaterThan using 16S rRNA based identification system. The cultural conditions for production of chitinase was optimized which resulted in a significant increase in the enzyme activity. The study demonstrates the potential of the isolate for industrial application such as production of bioactive chitin-oligosachharides. RIDDHI J. JHOLAPARA, RADHIKA S.MEHTA AND CHHAYA S. SAWANT. Chitinolytic, Bacillus licheniformis, Chitin, Chitinase. 464-471