23Among several lipase producing actinomycete strains screened, Amycolatopsis 24 mediterranei DSM 43304 was found to produce a thermostable, extracellular lipase. 25Culture condition and nutrient source modification studies involving carbon sources, 26 nitrogen sources, incubation temperature and medium pH were carried out. Lipase activity 27 of 1.37 ± 0.103 IU/ml of culture medium was obtained in 96 h at 28 °C and pH 7.5 using 28 linseed oil and fructose as carbon sources and a combination of phytone peptone and yeast 29 extract (5:1) as nitrogen sources. In optimal culture conditions the lipase activity was 30 enhanced 12-fold with a 2-fold increase in lipase specific activity. The lipase showed 31 maximum activity at 60 °C and pH 8.