Abstract: The aim of this study was to find an efficient method to release cell-associated tannase from the biomass of Serratia ficaria DTC. In this study ultrasonication, surfactants and solvents treatment was evaluated for the release of cell-associated tannase from the biomass. Ultrasonication could release cell-associated tannase with the concomitant reduction in overall enzyme activity, lead to complete inactivation after 25 min of treatment. Triton X-100, Tween 80, SDS and sodium taurocholate could extract tannase from the biomass. An effort was made to find the optimum concentration of Tween 80 and Triton X-100. Triton X-100 treatment (0.05% w/v) released all the cell-associated tannase with the concomitant release of 4.8% of cellular proteins. Tween 80 (0.05% w/v) treatment resulted in the increase in overall tannase activity by 189% due to unmasking of activity.