The glucoamylase gene from Lactobacillus amylovorus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coil. A genomic DNA library from Lactobacillus amylovorus was prepared by partially digesting genomic DNA with EcoRI and ligating random fragments to the EcoRI digested cloning vector, pZErO-1.1. Three E. coil transformants expressing glucoamylase were identified using a probe prepared from the STA2 glucoamylase gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus. The physical maps of the recombinant plasmids were constructed. These plasmids contained inserts of about 5.2 Kb, 5.9 Kb and 6.4 Kb respectively. Temperature and pH optima of 45 degrees C and 6.0, respectively, were obtained for both recombinant and purified wild type glucoamylases. Also, the enzymes were found to be thermolabile at temperatures above 50 degrees C.