Abstract
An extracellular lipase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 has been purified and its enzymatic characteristics were determined. According to SDS‐PAGE and gel filtration molecular mass estimated to be 30 kDa, what classified the lipase in group I.1. Although 14 lipases from P. aeruginosa with similar molecular mass are referred to date, their basic enzymatic properties have not been reported yet. To address the gap we found: the optimal temperature and pH in water solution being 50 °C and 9.3, respectively; the lipase was inhibited with Hg^2+^ ions and sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), while non‐ionic detergent Triton X‐100 activated the enzyme; the lipase hydrolyzed more rapidly middle chain triglycerides and it was not regiospecific; the lipase demonstrated naturally occurring stability in different organic solvents with concentrations ranging from 30 to 70%, including good thermal stability in 30% organic solvent solution. Even though strain P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 was not isolated from extreme environment it showed activity in organic solvent suggesting that this lipase is suitable for variety of applications, including reactions in water restricted medium and bioremediation of contaminations by organic solvents. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)