Lipolytic activity of some dermatophytes. II. Isolation and characterisation of the lipase of Epidermophyton floccosum.

The physicochemical properties, stability and localisation of lipase from the anthropophilic dermatophyte Epidermophyton floccosum have been investigated. The lipase was best secreted by older cultures at an optimum pH of 6.5-7 in the temperature range 40-45 degrees C. Neither the skin-surface lipids nor the body temperature of man significantly affected the activity of the lipase.