Lipase

Lipase (CAS 9001-62-1, EC 232-619-9) is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Also known as steapsin, tweenase, TAG lipase, or lipazin, it is produced from microbial, animal, or plant sources and carries no assigned E-code for direct food additive use.

In dairy processing, lipase accelerates cheese ripening by selectively cleaving ester bonds in milk fat, generating specific free fatty acids that define flavour profiles. In industrial laundry and textile scouring, it degrades lipid-based soils and natural waxes on fibre surfaces, reducing the need for harsh alkaline chemicals. It is also applied in pharmaceutical synthesis to resolve racemic mixtures through stereoselective esterification.

Lipase is available as a dry powder or stabilised liquid solution in food-grade, technical, and pharmaceutical grades. Relevant standards include FCC for food applications and REACH compliance for industrial supply within the EU. HS code 35079020 applies for import and export classification.