Purification and characterisation of a novel chitinase from persimmon (Diospyros kaki) with antifungal activity

► The Diospyros kaki chitinase (DKC) is a monomer with a molecular mass of 29 kDa. ► It has optimal activity at pH 4.5 and 60 °C with broad pH and thermostability. ► Internal peptide sequences of DKC showed similarity with other plant chitinases. ► DKC can hydrolyse colloidal chitin into chito-oligosacchaarides. ► DKC exhibited antifungal activity towards pathogenic fungus Trichoderma viride.