Production of esterases (carboxyl esterase EC 3.1.1.1) and lipases (glycerol ester hydrolase EC 3.1.1.3) by Ophiostoma piliferum (Cartapip(TM)), a fungus commercialized to decrease fatty acyl esters in wood, is described. The influence of various combinations of carbon and nitrogen sources, in the growth medium, was examined. Medium containing yeast extract as a nitrogen source and olive oil as a carbon source was found to be optimal for extracellular esterase (221 U dm(-3)) and lipase (152 U dm(-3)) activities. Further increases in those enzyme activities were achieved by decreasing medium pH from 6.5 to 5.5 (esterase 508 U dm(-3); lipase 415 U dm(-3)) and increasing medium calcium content from 8 m mol dm(-3) to 160 m mol dm(-3) (esterase 4084 U dm(-3); lipase 508 U dm(-3))