Fat hydrolysis and esterification by a lipase from Humicola lanuginosa.

The hydrolysis and esteriflcation by a thermostable lipase from Humicola lanuginosa No. 3 were investigated.Both reactions occurred readily at temperatures between 45~50°C.Esterification by the enzyme with glycerol was observed to be specific towards fatty acids with carbon numbers of C12 ~C18.Laurie acid esters with different alcohols such as primary alcohols, terpene alcohols, ere, were also synthesized readily.Esterification by the enzymewas adversely affected by the water content (optimum, ca.7%), however, the hydrolysis rate increased rapidly with increasing water content (optimum, ca.60%).The enzyme showed increased activity in organic solvent-aqueous reaction systems.Nevertheless, hydrolysis in complete organic phase reactions was found not to be feasible.Hydrolysis at a higher temperature (50 or 55°C) in a solvent free phase was almost the sameas that in organic solvent-aqueous phase reactions.The componentsof glycerides varied considerably during hydrolysis, whereby esterification resulted in a higher quantity of monoand diglycerides (about 40%), compared to in the case of hydrolysis, for which the value was about 10-20% It is well knownthat enzymesare beneficial for industrial processes because of their specificities, the mild conditions and reduced wastes.In spite of this, why are enzymes not routinely used in the processing of lipid materials?In the past, lipase enzymes were ignored because lipid processing systems are nonaqueous and they comprise multi-phasic sys-* To whomcorrespondence should be addressed.