Eight kinds of beta-lactamases produced by gram-negative bacteria were characterized by the following properties: molecular weight, isoelectric point, pH optimum, molecular activity, immunochemical reactivity, and kinetic parameters with respect to twelve kinds of common beta-lactam antibiotics. These beta-lactamases included two types of penicillinases mediated by R plasmids and six kinds of species-specific cephalosporinases. To determine a reliable value of the kinetic parameter, Km, we introduced a continuous and acidimetric assay method of beta-lactamase activity with a pH stat.