Lipase was purified from squid (Todarodes pacificus) liver in an attempt to investigate the possibility of applying the enzyme for biotechnological applications. Crude extract of squid liver was initially fractionated by the batch type ion exchange chromatography. The fraction containing lipase activity was further purified with an octyl-Sepharose column. Finally, lipase was purified by eluting active protein from a non-dissociating polyacrylamide gel after zymographic analysis. Molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined to be 27 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme showed the highest activity at a temperature range of 35-40 degrees C and at pH 8.0. The activity was almost completely inhibited at 1 mM concentration of Hg(2+) or Cu(2+) ion. Partial amino acid sequence of the enzyme was also determined.