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Lipases are enzymes which have numerous applications in many industries like leather, soaps and
detergents, pharmaceuticals, biofuel, food, textile etc. Many organisms like plants, fungi, bacteria are
known to produce lipase. The present study was aimed at isolating lipase producing microorganisms from
different soil samples which are rich in lipid content like oil mills. As oil mill samples are rich in lipid and
fatty acid content it makes a very good source to find microorganisms capable of degrading lipids by
producing lipase enzymes. In the present study the isolates were identified by morphological, biochemical
and molecular characterization. Production media was optimized by varying both physical and chemical
parameters such as pH, temperature, incubation period, carbon, nitrogen and substrate sources. The
maximum lipase activity by the isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa was at pH 7 at 35o C for 45 hours.
Lipase activity was high in media containing glycerol, casein and pongemia oil. Statistical analysis
revealed that variation in lipase production is highly influenced by changes in physical and chemical
parameter.
Key words : Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lipase, Lipids, Enzyme, Effluents, Pongemia oil.