Chitosanase from Streptomyces species is a new class of enzymes with antifungal properties that efficiently catalyses the hydrolysis of acetylated chitosan.

• Does not hydrolyse chitin or carboxylmethylcellulose
• Activity increases with decreasing acetylation of chitosan

It acts by splitting the β1,4-glycosidic linkages of GlcNAc-GlcN and GlcNAc-GlcN. Suitable for the efficient preparation of protoplasts of Mucor and other Zygomycetes, allowing the genetic manipulation of these fungi.

Unit definition: One unit is defined as the amount of enzyme that will release 1,0 µmol reducing sugars or glucosamine from chitosan per min at 37 °C, pH 5,5.