A bacterial strain capable of secreting high levels of chitinase was isolated from chitin-enriched soil and identified as Paenibacillus sp. CHE-N1. This strain, which shows high potential as an antagonist against fungi, was grown in a chitin-containing medium to evaluate its ability to produce chitinase. The statistical design method was used to determine the optimal chitinase-producing conditions. Factors, including carbon sources and nitrogen sources in the medium compositions, initial pH, and the temperature of fermentation, were investigated. The obtained optimal conditions were: CSCP 55.4 g/L, peptone 1.8 g/L, and (NH4)(2)SO4 1.6 g/L, with an optimal initial pH and temperature of 8.5 and 343 degrees C, respectively. Under these conditions, the optimal volumetric enzyme activity could reach 8.1 U/mL, about a 4-fold increase as compared to results under basic conditions.