The present invention relates to phytase enzyme, a gene encoding the
enzyme, and a Citrobacter sp. producing the enzyme. Particularly, the
present invention relates to the phytase enzyme produced from Citrobacter
sp. having (a) molecular weight of 47 kDa, (b) optimal pH of 3.5-4.5, (c)
optimal temperature of 45-55.degree. C., (d) a substrates phytate,
p-nitrophenyl phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, ATP or ADP, (e)
Michaelis constant of 0.3-0.5 mM utilizing phytate as substrate, and (f)
high resistance to protease such as pepsin, trypsin, papain, elastase or
pancreatin. The present invention also relates to the gene coding the
phytase enzyme and the Citrobacter braakii producing the enzyme. The
phytase enzyme and the Citrobacter braakii producing the enzyme of the
present invention can be used in manufacturing a feed of monogastrics as
feed additive and in recovering a specific decomposition product of
phytate at low price.