Enzymes in lipid modification: From classical biocatalysis with commercial enzymes to advanced protein engineering tools

Abstract

In this review, the application of enzymes, especially lipases, for the modification of fats and oils is covered. This includes the lipase-catalyzed selective production of structured triglycerides and the isolation or incorporation of specific fatty acids. Protein engineering methods to modify lipases on a molecular level were used to alter the fatty acid chain-length and ‘‘trans over cis’’ selectivity of lipase A from Candida antarctica. Furthermore, an enzymatic cascade reaction to remove 3-monochloropropanediol and the identification of a phospholipase C for degumming are briefly covered.

Keywords

• lipase
• phospholipase
• biocatalysis
• lipid modification
• structured triglycerides
• degumming
• 3-MCPD
• protein engineering