The lipase secreted by Burkholderia cepacia ATCC 25416 was particularly attractive in detergent and leather industry due to its specific characteristics of high alkaline and thermal stability. The lipase gene (lipA), lipase chaperone gene (lipB), and native promoter upstream of lipA were cloned. The lipA was composed of 1095 bp. corresponding to 364 amino acid residues. The lipB located immediately downstream of lipA was composed of 1035 bp, corresponding to 344 amino acid residues. The lipase operon was inserted into broad host vector pBBRMCS1 and electroporated into original strain. The homologous expression of recombinant strain showed a significant increase in the lipase activity. LipA was purified by three-step procedure of ammonium sulfate precipitation, phenyl-sepharose FF and DEAE-sepharose FF. SDS-PAGE showed the molecular mass of the lipase was 33 kDa. The enzyme optimal temperature and pH were 60 degrees C and 11.0, respectively. The enzyme was stable at 30-70 degrees C. After incubated in 70 degrees C for 1 h, enzyme remained 72% of its maximal activity. The enzyme exhibited a good stability at pH 9.0-11.5. The lipase preferentially hydrolyzed medium-chain fatty acid esters. The enzyme was strongly activated by Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+ Zn2+ Co2+ and apparently inhibited by PMSF, EDTA and also DTT with SDS. The enzyme was compatible with various ionic and non-ionic surfactants as well as oxidant H2O2. The enzyme had good stability in the low- and non-polar solvents. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.