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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #212564
Title: Lipases, industrial uses

Author
item Hou, Ching
item YUJI, SHIMADA - OSAKA, JAPAN

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2007
Publication Date: 1/1/2009
Citation: Hou, C.T., Yuji, S. 2009. Lipases, industrial uses. In: Schaechter, M., Lederberg, J., editors. Encyclopedia of Microbiology, 3rd edition. Elsevier Ltd.p. 385-392.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lipases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of triglycerides to glycerol and fatty acids. Microbial lipases are relatively stable and are capable of catalyzing a variety of reactions; they are potentially of importance for diverse industrial applications. Lipases can be divided generally into the following six groups according to their specific reactions: fatty acid specific; positional specific; alcohol specific; triacylglycerol specific; acylglycerol specific; and stereo and chiral specific lipases. Industrial uses of lipases are described in details in areas such as: hydrolysis of oils and fats; synthesis of esters; transesterification for fragrances, flavors, and cocoa butter substitutes; synthesis of structured lipids for infant formula and neutraceuticals; improve polyunsaturated fatty acids content in fish oil; and enantioresolution of esters for chemical and drug intermediates.