The enzyme chitosanase is an inverting glycoside hydrolase belonging to family 46. It catalyses the hydrolysis of chitosan, a linear polysaccharide of beta-(1,4)-linked D-glucosamine residues. Many species of soil bacteria, fungi and certain plants express chitosanases capable of degrading chitosan. The enzyme has been implicated in the resistance of E.Coli against the toxic effects of chitosan by breaking the high molecular weight polymer into short chain forms, which are non toxic to the bacteria.