Chitin is basically is a long-chain polymer of a N-acetylglucosamine, so if a reference sugar other than N-acetylglucosamine is used would it really show chitinase activity? If you wanted to differentiate between different chitinases you might want to consider the Sigma-Aldrich fluorescence chitinase kit (Product CS1030) or the chromogenic kit (Product CS0980); these kits use either the 4-Methylumbelliferyl derivatives of various acetylglucosamines or 4-Nitrophenyl derivatives. Both kits use not only N-acetylglucosamine but N,N'-diacetyl-b-D-chitobioside and N,N',N''-triacetylchitotriose sugars to test for exochitinase or endochitinase activity

detection.

i realized that as well. but i still asked it just in case.:) thank you so much dr. christopher! i guess i'll just have to find NAG.