Lipase

Lipase (CAS 9001-62-1) is a hydrolytic enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of fats, oils, and esters into fatty acids and glycerol. Also marketed as tweenase and tween hydrolase.

Where is Lipase used?

• Food and dairy: develops flavor profiles in cheese, butter and fermented products by hydrolyzing milk fats
• Textile and leather: removes natural fats and grease from raw fibers and hides, improving dye uptake and surface finish
• Pulp and paper: controls pitch deposits from wood resins, reducing equipment fouling
• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: enantioselective synthesis and ester modification
• It is sourced from microbial, fungal and animal origins.

Good to know: Procurement decisions hinge on activity units, substrate specificity and origin rather than enzyme class alone. Food-grade and FCC-compliant grades are standard for edible applications; technical-grade preparations serve industrial processes, while pharmaceutical-grade material is available under USP and Ph. Eur. specifications.

Commercial specifications

• Activity expressed in LU, FIP or BAUN depending on application sector