The present invention relates to alginase produced by bacteria belonging to the genus and a process for production thereof and bacteria as well as a method for decomposing alginic acid.

L-carnitine is produced by bringing apocarnitine into contact with hydrase produced by a strain of Enterobacter in an aqueous medium having a pH of 4-10 at a temperature of 20.degree.-60.degree. C., whereby apocarnitine is converted to L-carnitine.

Combination of fungal cell wall degrading enzymes (e.g., chitinolytic enzymes) and antifungal bacteria (e.g., E. cloacae) which bind to fungal cell walls in the presence of said enzymes even when sugars are present, increases potency and range of use of the bacteria and fosters proliferation thereof.