Multiple chitinases of an endophytic Serratia proteamaculans 568 generate chitin oligomers

► Cloning and characterization of three chitinases from Serratia proteamaculans 568. ► All three Sp chitinases displayed highest activity/binding to β-chitin. ► Released dimer as major end product from oligomeric and polymeric substrates. ► The three Sp chitinases are endo-enzymes released up to tetramers from polymer. ► Sp ChiA and Sp ChiB were processive, while Sp ChiC was non-processive.