A 5-L fermenter (New Brunswick Scientific EDISON N.J., U.S.A.) was filled with 4 L of culture medium and sterilized at 121°C for 20 min. Standard operating conditions of the fermenter were: 1% (v/v) inoculum size; 37°C; agitation speed at 250 rpm; pH 7.0; aeration 1.0 vvm. The pH was automatically monitored and maintained with HCL/NaOH addition throughout the fermentation cycle. Growth (OD660) and lipase activity were measured after 48 hours of cultivation.