The great potential of lipases is known since 1930 when the work of J. B. S. Haldane was published. After eighty-five years of studies and developments, are lipases still important biocatalysts? For answering this question the present work investigated the technological development of four important industrial sectors where lipases are applied: production of detergent formulations; organic synthesis, focusing on kinetic resolution, production of biodiesel, and production of food and feed products. The analysis was made based on research publications and patent applications, working as scientific and technological indicators, respectively. Their evolution, interaction, the major players of each sector and the main subject matters disclosed in patent documents were discussed. Applying the concept of technology life cycle, S-curves were built by plotting cumulative patent data over time to monitor the attractiveness of each technology for investment. The results lead to a conclusion that the use of lipases as biocatalysts is still a relevant topic for the industrial sector, but developments are still needed for lipase biocatalysis to reach its full potential, which are expected to be achieved within the third, and present, wave of biocatalysis.

RESUMOO progresso tecnológico aliado a um crescimento demográfico sem precedentes trouxe riscos de exploração excessiva dos recursos e destruições irreversíveis ao patrimônio natural. A política ambiental vinculada a uma política econômica, nos pressupostos do desenvolvimento sustentável, deve ser essencialmente estratégia de risco destinada a minimizar o conflito entre desenvolvimento econômico e sustentabilidade ecológica. O presente trabalho apresenta um mapeamento tecnológico dos processos de biorremediação dentro do contexto da biotecnologia sustentável por meio de indicadores de patentes, utilizando o software de busca e análise de dados Orbit.Palavras chave: Biorremediação. Biotecnologia Sustentável. Patente. Mapeamento Tecnológico. ABSTRACTTechnological progress combined with a population growth brought unprecedented risks of overexploitation of resources and irreversible destruction to the natural patrimony. Environmental policy linked to an economic policy, the assumptions of sustainable development should be essentially risk strategy designed to minimize conflict between economic development and ecological sustainability. This paper presents a technology mapping of bioremediation processes within the context of sustainable biotechnology through patent indicators, using the software search and analysis of Orbit database.

RESUMOAs proteases pertencem ao grupo das enzimas mais utilizadas em diferentes setores industriais. O uso de enzimas em composições de limpeza tem se difundido, por aumentar a eficiência do processo de limpeza. O presente trabalho apresenta um mapeamento tecnológico da aplicação de proteases em detergentes e soluções de limpeza por meio de indicadores de patentes, utilizando o software de busca e de análise de patentes Orbit®.Palavras-chave: Mapeamento tecnológico. Protease. Composições de limpeza. TECHONOLOGICAL MAPPING OF THE APPLICATION OF PROTEASES IN DETERGENTES AND CLEANING COMPOSITIONS ABSTRACTProteases belong to the group of enzymes commonly used in different industrial sectors. The use of enzymes in cleaning products has been spread, to increase the efficiency of the cleaning process. This paper presents a technological mapping of application of proteases in detergents and cleaning solutions using patent indicators, using the search software and patent analysis Orbit®.