An extracellular lipase of Hendersonula toruloidea was produced in shake-flask cultures. Maximum production of lipase was achieved with MgSO4.7H(2)O, 0.1%; (NH4)(2)SO4 1.8%; NaCl, 0.1%; K2HPO4, 0.1%; olive oil, 0.2%; BaCl2.2H(2)O, 0.1 mM, and sodium dodecyl sulphate, 0.05%, at an initial culture pH of 6.0. Optimum lipase production occurred during the late logarithmic phase (120 h) and corresponded with a final culture pH of 6.8.