Potential of fish by-products as a source of novel marine lipases and their uses in industrial applications

An abundance of fish by-products worldwide provides a diverse and highly valuable raw material for the extraction of numerous biochemicals, including lipases. Marine lipases are versatile enzymes possessing high activity at relatively low temperatures and unique fatty acid specificity. The challenges associated with marine lipases revolve around their cost of extraction and chemical instability. As these are overcome there is scope for commercial exploitation. The potential applications of marine lipases include flavour development in food products and synthesis of specialty lipids such as omega-3 concentrates.