Applications of lipase

Abstract

Lipases are endowed with a substrate specificity that surpasses that of any other known enzyme. This confers on these enzymes an application potential that is literally boundless. Lipases can be employed in the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, leather, detergents, foods, perfumery, medical diagnostics, and other organic synthetic materials. This review attempts to present a comprehensive discussion on the present status of this unique group of enzymes in industry, as well as the actual potential. It represents an endeavor to provide a sincere answer to the question, "What can be done with this enzyme?" as well as, "Can lipase be utilized for this purpose?" It is intended that the manuscript will cover or at least mention all known applications, based on the exploitation of a particular type of reaction catalyzed by lipases. An attempt will be made to cover as large a number of references as possible, so as to further underline the importance and significance of lipase action for industry. JAOCS 74, 621-634 (1997).

Seed lipases: sources, applications and properties - a review

“…The versatility of lipases in catalyzing different kinds of reactions associated with their different specificities endows these enzymes with an important and vast application potential (Gandhi, 1997;Sharma et al, 2001;Pastore et al, 2003;Enujiugha et al, 2004;Hansan et al, 2006;Parques et al, 2006;Freire and Castilho, 2008;Yesiloglu and Baskurt, 2008;Isibilar et al, 2008;Polizelli et al, 2008). Lipases are excellent alternatives for classic chemical syntheses with industrial applications, such as in foods, detergents, oleochemicals, pharmaceuticals, fine chemistry, cosmetics and fragrances, paper pulp, leather, biosensors and lipidrich wastewater treatment (Gandhi, 1997;Paques et al, 2006;Freire and Castilho, 2008).…”

Studies on the Optimization of Lipase Production by Rhizopus sp. ZAC3 Isolated from the Contaminated Soil of a Palm Oil Processing Shed

“…Microbial lipases are of wide interest because they are highly selective, stable and substrate specific [7]. The substrate and reaction specificities of lipases surpass those of any other known enzyme and the application potentials are limitless [8].…”

Effect of Environmental and Nutritional Parameters on the Extracellular Lipase Production by <i>Aspergillus niger</i>

“…A simple and reliable method for detecting lipase activity in microorganisms has been described by different researchers. Tween 80 (surfactant) in a solid substrate has been used extensively to identify a lipolytic activity by those researchers [19][20][21]. Lipase preparation by the organisms can be specified by the formation of dark zones around the colonies.…”