Cloning, characterization and expression of an exo-1,3-β-glucanase gene from the antagonistic yeast, Pichia guilliermondii strain M8 against grey mold on apples

► Pichia guilliermondii strain M8 has high exo-1,3-β-glucanase activity in vitro. ► The enzyme greatly inhibits Botrytis cinerea both in vitro and in vivo. ► An exo-1,3-β-glucanase gene, PgExg1, has been cloned and characterized. ► The recombinant enzyme PgExg1 showed biocontrol activities against the pathogen. ► PgExg1 has an optimal pH of 5.0 and an optimal incubation temperature of 40 °C.