Antifungal activity. Inhibits the mycelial growth of A.niger, A.alternata and H.sativum. Random endo-hydrolysis of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide (1->4)-beta-linkages in chitin and chitodextrins. Inhibited by divalent metal ions. Maximum inhibition observed with Ca(2+) while the least inhibition was observed with Fe(2+). Inhibited by high concentrations of GlcNAc. Optimum pH is 6-8. There is a 37.7% decrease in activity at pH 5 and a 39.8% decrease in activity at pH 9. Optimum temperature is 35 degrees Celsius. Belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. Chitinase class II subfamily.