Application

Lipases are used industrially for the resolution of chiral compounds and the transesterification production of biodiesel.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Lipases catalyze the hydrolysis of esters in aqueous solutions and the synthesis of esters in non-aqueous solutions. They also produce hydroxyl and carboxylic groups through the hydrolysis of ester linkages in poly(ethylene terephthalate).Lipases catalyze the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols into glycerol and free fatty acids.

Lipase is a hydrolytic enzyme produced by various tissues. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols to yield glycerol and free fatty acids, which is a rate-limiting for the exclusion of lipoprotein triglycerides from the circulation. It is associated with certain metabolic diseases, including obesity and familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Unit Definition

One unit will hydrolyze 1.0 microequivalent of fatty acid from a triglyceride in 1 hr at pH 7.7 at 37 °C using olive oil.