Abstract:[Background] Alginate lyase has various types and degradation mechanisms, and has become a tool for the efficient and environmentally friendly production of alginate oligosaccharides, as well as a research hotspot for high-value development and utilization of algae. [Objective] This study aimed to isolate alginate lyase-producing strains, determine the optimal fermentation conditions for enzyme production, and analyze degradation products to reveal the degradation characteristics of the enzyme. [Methods] The strain was screened from the sea mud near kelp farms using alginate as the sole carbon source, and was identified according to morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA sequence alignment. The fermentation medium was optimized and used for enzyme production. Products at different degradation degrees were analyzed by IR and anion exchange chromatography to explore the degradation preference of the enzyme, and the final products were characterized by TLC and LC-MS. [Results] An alginate lyase-producing Vibrio natriegens SK42.001 was screened and identified. The optimized fermentation medium contained 8.0 g/L alginate, 8.0 g/L (NH4)2SO4, 30.0 g/L NaCl, 5.0 mmol/L MgSO4·7H2O and 10.0 mmol/L K2HPO4·2H2O, and the fermentation activity was (5.20±0.14) U/mL. The alginate lyase produced by strain SK42.001 had a preference to degrade guluronic acid blocks, and the final products present a relatively simple degree of polymerization, which were predominantly trisaccharides. [Conclusion] A V. natriegens SK42.001 with high yield of alginate lyase was screened. The enzyme produced by the strain has a preference to degrade guluronic acid blocks and specifically produces trisaccharides, which has the potential to be further developed for large-scale production of alginate lyase and alginate oligosaccharide biological products.