Perez_2019_Recent.Adv.in.White.Biotechnol.Through.Fungi__361

Lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) catalyze the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols and the synthesis of esters from glycerol and long-chain fatty acids. They are also effective in transesterification in the absence of water, acidolysis, alcoholysis, interesterification, and aminolysis reactions. These enzymes also exhibit the phenomenon of interfacial activation. In general, industrial lipases are produced from wild and recombinant microorganisms obtained from heterologous expression. In this chapter, we are describing general properties, differences between lipases and esterases, diversification of lipase families, and structural and kinetic aspects. Generally, hydrophobic interaction steps are described to purify and immobilize lipases. The most important application is their addition to detergents, which are mainly used in household industrial laundry and dishwashers. Beyond, these catalysts are used in pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, chemical, textile industries, food processing, biodiesel production, and many others. Currently, the biotechnological potential of lipases is making them gain enormous attention in the white biotechnology.