Abstract

Lipases are a class of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of long chain triglycerides and constitute the most important group of biocatalysts for biotechnological applications. Cold active lipases have lately attracted attention as a result of their increasing use in the organic synthesis of chiral intermediates. Due to their low optimum temperature and high activity at very low temperatures, which are favorable properties for the production of relatively frail compounds. Cold active lipases are today the enzymes of choice for organic chemists, pharmacists, biophysicists, biochemical and process engineers, biotechnologists, microbiologists and biochemists. The present review describes various industrial applications of cold active microbial lipases in the medical and pharmaceuticals, fine chemical synthesis, food Industry, domestic and environmental applications.
 
Key words: Biocatalysts, cold active lipase, enzymes, industrial application, lipolytic, Psychrophiles.