Recovery of lipase from Penicillium cyclopium by aqueous two-phase extraction was studied with maximal possible crude enzyme loads. In polyethylene glycol/dextran and polyethylene glycol/salt systems the influences of molecular weight and concentration of polyethylene glycol, phase-forming salt and phase volume ratio were evaluated. Lipase partition coefficient 9 followed by the top phase yield 95.7% and purification factor 3.4 were achieved in 15% (w w(-1)) polyethylene glycol 4000/15% (w w(-1)) KH2PO4/70% (w w(-1)) crude enzyme. Efficient single-step recovery of lipase followed by partial enzyme purification indicated possible integration of production and primary bioseparation step by aqueous two-phase extraction. By varying phase volume ratio, the concentration of phosphate was reduced without decrease in lipase recovery.