Application

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

Biochem/physiol Actions

The lipase cleaves ester bonds of triacylglycerols with the subsequent release of free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, monoacylglycerols and glycerol. It can also catalyze the reverse reactions when the aqueous medium is replaced by an organic or a biphasic aqueous/organic medium.

Lipases catalyze the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols into glycerol and free fatty acids.

Unit Definition

1 U corresponds to the amount of enzyme which liberates 1 µmol butyric acid per minute at pH 7.5 and 40°C (tributyrin, Cat. No. 91010, as substrate)