Lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) are glycerol ester hydrolases that
catalyze the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols into fatty acid,
partial acylglycerols, and glycerol. Various microbial lipases
of industrial importance have been puriWed, characterized,
and studied for their biotechnological applications in
food, dairy, detergents, pharmaceuticals, textile, cosmetics,
paper industry, and preparation of various Xavor and fragrances
[1–3]. Most of the microbial lipases are active at
alkaline pH (pH 7.0–9.0) with a few exceptions [4]. Thus the
activities of lipases are highly pH dependent and any alteration
in pH of the reaction mixture is likely to aVect the catalytic
potential of the lipases.