Cell-associated oligo-1,6-alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.10) was isolated from Thermoanaerobium Tok6-B1 grown on starch-containing medium. Activity was purified 11.4-fold by salt precipitation, gel filtration, hydroxyapatite and anion-exchange chromatography. Molecular mass was determined as 30,000 by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and 33,000 by analytical gel filtration. The probable order of specificity was p-nitrophenyl-alpha D-glucose greater than-isomaltose greater than-isomaltotriose greater than-panose greater than-nigerose and no activity was shown against malto-oligosaccharides, melezitose, melibiose, raffinose, cellobiose, sophorose, gentiobiose, lactose, pullulan, dextran or amylose. The optima for activity and stability were between pH 5.6 and 7.0 and the half-life at pH 6.5 was 1000 min at 70 degrees C and 20 min at 76 degrees C. Activity was stabilized by substrate, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+, but was destabilized by Zn2+ and EDTA. N-Ethylmaleimide, glucose and 1-O-methyl-alpha D-glucose were inhibitory but 1-O-methyl-beta D-glucose stimulated activity. The activation energy (Ea) was 109 kJ/mol.