Characterization of the N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase (NeuB) from the psychrophilic fish pathogen Moritella viscosa.

•The psychrophilic fish pathogenic bacterium Moritella viscosa produces sialic acids.•Presence of sialic acids among fish pathogens points toward an important function.•The N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase NeuB from M. viscosa was characterized.•The enzyme shows typical cold adapted features.•This efficient enzyme can be further explored for production of sialic acids and derivates.