Lipases from Mammals and Fishes

Lipases are a broad family of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of ester bonds in substrates such as triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesteryl esters, and vitamin esters. Lipases are receiving increasing interest due to their effects on the quality of food products (e.g., the quality of post-harvest seafoods), and their actual and potential applications in modified foods and industrial processes. Lipases that catalyze specific reactions and that are active at particular conditions of pH and temperature to suit the requirements of industrial processes are of particular interest. This review focuses on lipases that display predominantly triacylglycerol hydrolase activity. Section 1 presents an overview of lipases from terrestrial organisms and the lipase gene family members. Due to their unique physiology, diet, and habitat, fish lipases may demonstrate novel activities that have potential applications for bioindustrial catalysis. Section 2 discusses lipases from fish and compares them with lipases from mammals and birds. Purification strategies and properties of the isolated enzymes are reviewed in detail.