Abstract: Described are methods of using a lipase for hydrolysis and esterification. In a first method of producing a medium chain fatty acid by hydrolysis, the method comprises providing a polypeptide with at least 90% degree of identity to SEQ ID No. 3, and contacting the polypeptide with a medium chain fatty acid ester and water to produce the medium chain fatty acid. In a second method of forming an ester, the method comprises providing a polypeptide with at least 90% degree of identity to SEQ ID No. 3; and contacting the polypeptide with a long chain fatty acid, an alcohol, and water to form the ester of the long chain fatty acid and the alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of oil processing, and specifically the present invention relates to a process of hydrolyzing an oil with high melting point, such as hydrogenated castor oil (HCO), by lipase. In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a process of hydrolyzing an oil having a higher melting point to obtain a hydrolysis product, the process comprising: a step of mixing water, an organic solvent, and a lipase with the oil to form a mixture, and a step of hydrolyzing the oil in the mixture, wherein the lipase comprises one or more lipase derived from Thermomyces sp. but not any monoacylglycerol lipase or any lipase derived from Rhizomucor sp., and the organic solvent is any one selected from a sterically hindered alcohol, a non-polar organic solvent, and a mixture of a water-miscible organic solvent with a non-polar organic solvent.

Abstract: Described are methods of using a lipase for hydrolysis and esterification. In a first method of producing a medium chain fatty acid by hydrolysis, the method comprises providing a polypeptide with at least 90% degree of identity to SEQ ID NO. 3, and contacting the polypeptide with a medium chain fatty acid ester and water to produce the medium chain fatty acid. In a second method of forming an ester, the method comprises providing a polypeptide with at least 90% degree of identity to SEQ ID NO. 3; and contacting the polypeptide with a long chain fatty acid, an alcohol, and water to form the ester of the long chain fatty acid and the alcohol.