Editing Chitinase (section)

== Applications ==
Chitinases have a wealth of applications, some of which have already been realized by industry. This includes bio-conversion of chitin to useful products such as [[fertilizer]], the production of non-allergenic, non-toxic, [[biocompatible]], and [[biodegradable]] materials ([[contact lenses]], [[artificial skin]] and [[Surgical suture|suture]]s with these qualities are already being produced) and enhancement of [[insecticide]]s and [[fungicide]]s.<ref name="update">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hamid R, Khan MA, Ahmad M, Ahmad MM, Abdin MZ, Musarrat J, Javed S | title = Chitinases: An update | journal = Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 21–9 | date = January 2013 | pmid = 23559820 | pmc = 3612335 | doi = 10.4103/0975-7406.106559 | doi-access = free }}</ref> ''Phaseolus vulgaris'' chitinase - [[bean chitinase]], BCH - has been [[transgenics|transgenically]] inserted as a [[Insect repellent|pest deterrent]] into entirely unrelated crops.<ref name="Gatehouse-et-al-1997" />

Possible future applications of chitinases are as food additives to increase shelf life, therapeutic agent for asthma and chronic [[rhinosinusitis]], as an anti-fungal remedy, an anti-tumor drug and as a general ingredient to be used in [[protein engineering]].<ref name="update"/>