The targeting of recombinant proteins for excretion into culture medium presents significant advantages over cytoplasmic expression. However, during the excretion of recombinant protein, caution must be taken in order to avoid cell lysis due to pressure build-up through overproduction of the expressed recombinant protein in the periplasmic space. In the present study, recombinant Escherichia coli expressing cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) was immobilized by adsorption and entrapment in a porous hollow fiber membrane. The effects of culture conditions (post induction time, agitation rate and pH) on CGTase excretion, cell lysis and plasmid stability of immobilized cells were studied. The optimum post induction time, agitation rate and pH were found to be 24h, 200 rpm and pH 9, respectively. The immobilized cells exhibited a 2.8-4.6-fold increase in CGTase excretion, a 16-95% reduction of cell lysis and a 323-464% increase in plasmid stability compared with free cells. Hence, immobilizing E. coli using a porous hollow fiber membrane proved to be valuable for the excretion of a recombinant protein and increased cell viability. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.