Purification and characterization of a Penicillium sp. lipase which discriminates against diglycerides.

A lipase was isolated from Penicillium sp. strain UZLM-4 and characterized. This lipase has a molecular weight of 27,344 (determined by mass spectrometry) and hydrolyzes triglycerides in preference to mono- and diglyceride substrates. Among various triglyceride substrates, tributyrin is hydrolyzed about four times faster than any other tested. The lipase has a preference for hydrolysis at the 1,3 positions of the lipids and shows a weak stereoselectivity for the S enantiomer. Unlike most other lipases, this lipase is stable and has a high activity at low surface pressures (5-10 mN/m).