Aspartase gene (aspA) from Aeromonas media NFB-5 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 using pET21b(+) expression vector. Maximum production of aspartase was obtained at shake-flask after 5 h of IPTG (1.5 mM) induction at 37 degrees C and by supplementing the media with KH2PO4 (0.3%, w/v) and K2HPO4 (0.3%, w/v). Further production was investigated at a laboratory scale stirred tank reactor using response surface methodology (RSM). Agitation (130-270 rpm), aeration (0.30-1.70 vvm) and IPTG induction time (3-7 h) was optimized. Optimal levels of agitation (250 rpm), aeration (1.25 vvm) and induction time (6 h) were determined by statistical analysis of the experimental data. More than 7-fold increase in recombinant aspartase (1234 U/g wet weight) was observed than the parent strain (172 U/g wet wt). Homogenized immobilized permeabilized recombinant cells (566 mg/g wet cells) produced more L-aspartic acid as compared to permeabilized recombinant free cells (154 mg/g wet cells). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.