To characterize a novel endoglucanase, Celal_2753, from the psychrophilic bacterium Cellulophaga algicola IC166(T). Celal_2753 was purified to homogeneity with a yield of 81 % and with a molecular weight of 40 kDa on SDS-PAGE. It had maximum hydrolytic activity towards carboxymethyl cellulose at 40 A degrees C and pH 6. It showed 33 % of the maximum activity at 10 A(0)C. Its activity increased to 272-316 % in the presence of 0.25-2 M NaCl and KCl at 40 A degrees C. Celal_2753 was stable in the presence of 10 % (v/v) Tween 20, 10 % (v/v) Triton X-100, 16 mM SDS, 6 M urea or 2 M guanidine hydrochloride. Celal_2753 that had been boiled for 5 min recovered 55 % of its initial activity by incubating at 30 A degrees C for 60 min. Because of its cold-adapted, thermotolerant and denaturant-stable properties, endoglucanase Celal_2753 is promising in detergent industry and bioethanol production.