Background Extracellular hydrolytic enzymes such as α-amylases are widely used in diverse applications in different industrial areas. α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) is an important endo-type carbohydrase that hydrolyzes α-1,4 glycosidic linkages of D-glucose oligomers and polymers. This enzyme has been found in organisms of the three Domains, being a key enzyme of carbohydrate metabolism. Haloferax mediterranei is an extremely halophilic Archaea that requires high salt concentrations to grow. This microorganism is able to grow in a minimal medium with ammonium acetate as the only source of carbon and nitrogen.H. mediterranei shows α-amylase extracellular activity when grows in this minimal medium in the presence of starch. The main role of this enzyme is the starch metabolism in the extracellular medium, so a lot of microorganisms depend on amylases for survival [1].