Lipases (triacylglycerol acylhydrolases, E.C. 3.1.1.3) are ubiquitous
enzymes of considerable physiological significance and industrial
potential. Lipases catalyze the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols to
glycerol and free fatty acids. Lipases find promising applications in
organic chemical processing, detergent formulations, synthesis of
biosurfactants, the oleochemical industry, the dairy industry, the
agrochemical industry, paper manufacture, nutrition, cosmetics, and
pharmaceutical processing. Commercially useful lipases are usually
obtained from microorganisms that produce a wide variety of
extracellular lipases.