Objective In this study, we characterised a novel lysophospholipase (LysoPL) from the L. mucosae LM1 strain. The gene, LM-lysoPL, encoding LysoPL from L. mucosae LM1 was cloned, analyzed, and expressed. Results LM-lysoPL contained a conserved region and catalytic triad motif responsible for lysophospholipase activity. After purification, UHPLC-MS analysis showed that recombinant LM-LysoPL hydrolyzed phosphatidic acid, generating lysophosphatidic acid. The enzyme had greater hydrolytic activity against C16 and C18 fatty acids, indicating a preference for long-chain fatty acids. Enzymatic assays showed that the optimal pH and temperature of recombinant LM-LysoPL were 7 and 30 degrees C, respectively, and it was enzymatically active within a narrow pH range. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify and characterize a lysophospholipase from lactic acid bacteria. Our findings provide a basis for understanding the probiotic role of L. mucosae LM1 in the gut.