An extracellular organic solvent-tolerant and cold-active lipase producing bacterium was isolated from oil-contaminated soil samples, and identified taxonomically as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The lipase from S. maltophilia CGMCC 4254 (SML) was purified 60.5-fold to homogeneity with 38.9 U/mg specific activity. Partially purified SML displayed remarkable stability in 50% and 100% (v/v) hydrophobic organic solvents after incubation for 7 days. The enzyme also retained more than 50% of its residual activity in several pure hydrophilic organic solvents after incubation for 7 days. SML showed 57% maximum activity at 5 degrees C, and had optimal activity at 35 degrees C. These unique properties of SML make it promising as a biocatalyst for industrial processes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.