Using Bacillus stearothermophilus AB-1 isolated from air, the production of lipase was attempted along with its purification and characterization studies. When different carbon and nitrogen sources were supplemented in the culture medium, xylose, tryptophan, alanine, phenylalanine and potassium nitrate were found to be the best. During cultivation, the strain secreted most of its lipase content after 48 h. In particular, the lipase produced in the culture broth showed 300 U mL(-1) when cultivated at optimal temperature and pH of 35 degrees C and 7.5, respectively. The enzyme was purified using 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation and sephadex G200 column chromatography. The enzyme was stable up to 40 degrees C and in the range of pH 7-8. This research reports for the first time the characterization of mesophilic lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus AB-1 isolated from air.