ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to screen the soil samples collected in Iran for the presence of the Bacillus subtilis lipase A gene. The bacterial colonies obtained from the collected soil samples were examined by physical appearance, biochemical tests and the polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Only four colonies were identified as putative B. subtilis strains and all contained the lipase A gene. However, the intensities of the DNA bands were different and correlated with the differences obtained from the biochemical tests. Polymorphism of the lipase gene was also determined in samples using SSCP assay. In conclusion, this study demonstrates an easy and reliable method for detection of the lipase gene in B. subtilis strains. Further screening of the soil by this method will enable the detection and identification of industrially more favorable lipases