In this work, the complex enzyme purification process by means of RME (reversed micelle extraction) was examined using the system alpha-amylase/CTAB/KBr. The research was focussed on the enzyme aqueous source composition. The influence of different inorganic salts present in the source (NaCl, NaBr, and NH4Cl) as well as salt and protein concentrations on the purification efficiency of the system was investigated. The RME-based enzyme purification was analyzed considering the protein and activity yield changes during the two-step procedure-solubilization and stripping (recovery). The results show that relatively high purification factors could be achieved at relatively low salt concentrations in the source providing the fort-nation of RMs with an appropriate water capacity. A part of the activity lost in the sources containing NaBr, and NH4Cl was recovered through RM-solubilization and stripping into an aqueous solution containing a small amount of KBr. The RM-system proposed preserves the enzyme stability and biological activity for a long time. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.