A new isolate, Bacillus sp. ALK-7 can synthesize ethylene from l-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) as well as from methionine. The ACC has only been recognized as a key intermediate found in the metabolic pathway leading to ethylene formation in various plants. The efficiency of ethylene formation from the ACC by Bacillus sp. ALK-7 was about 2 times as high as that from the methionine. The reaction from ACC to ethylene formation was also shown to be mediated by the cell-free extracts of Bacillus sp. ALK-7.