8 – Lipolytic Enzymes

TLDR: There are currently 15 families of lipases, classified based on their amino acid sequence and function as discussed by the authors, and a whole new group of extremophilic enzymes has now emerged, such as organic-solvent-tolerant, thermophilic, psychrophilic, halophilic and alkalophilic.

Abstract: Lipolytic enzymes are a diverse group of industrially important hydrolases. There are currently 15 families of lipases, classified based on their amino acid sequence and function. This chapter focuses on the updated classification of these lipolytic enzymes based on their structure–function relationships. Further, a whole new group of extremophilic enzymes has now emerged. Because such extremophilic lipases, spanning the organic-solvent-tolerant, thermophilic, psychrophilic, halophilic, and alkalophilic enzymes, are important industrially, they are covered as well. Metagenomics has led to the discovery of many enzymes; thus metagenomically discovered lipases are also briefly treated. Over the years, with advances in detection technology, methods of lipase activity estimation have also witnessed a phenomenal increase in terms of the available techniques. Hence, a dedicated section on the assay of lipolytic enzymes is also encompassed. Last, because the industrial applications have been a constant driving force in enzyme research, industrially relevant lipases and their applications are also covered to a certain extent.