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Effect of various parameters on the extraction of penicillin from the broth by the method of emulsion liquid membrane using butylactate as the extractor was studied. The relative amount of the internal, membrane and external phases were 1, 1, and 12 respectively. Diluting the solvent with equal amount of paraffin oil to control the viscosity enhanced the extraction yield. However using Tween 40 to increase the Hydrophile Lipophile Blance (HLB) of the Span 80 surfactant did not show a positive effect. A 1:9 mixture of Diocthyl Amine and Amberlite LA2 gave the best composition as the carrier in the liquid membrane. Setting the internal and external phase pH at 8.9 and
4.5 by sodium carbonate and citrate buffer, respectively, increased the efficiency of the extraction. Intensity of mixing the emulsion influenced both stability and mass transfer and hence yield of penicillin extraction; its optimum level was determined to be between 400 and 600 rpm.