Characterization of Lipase from Wild (LPF-5) and Mutant (HN1) Strain of Aspergillus niger

Lipases (triacyl glycerol acylhydrolases, EC 3.1.1.3) belonging to the class Hydrolases catalyze hydrolysis of insoluble triacylglycerols (TAGs) to generate free fatty acids, mono and diacylglycerols and glycerol (Das et al., 2016). Lipases are found in both prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) as well as in eukaryotes (animals, plants and fungi) (Cai-hong et al., 2008). The most broadly applied lipases are microbial due to their stability and chemical properties (Hasan et al., 2009). Although several microorganisms are recognized as potent producers of lipases (extracellular) including fungi, yeast and bacteria but fungal lipases are being used for diverse applications in biotechnological industries (Sharma and Kanwar, 2014). Extracellular secretion of lipases has been well documented for a variety of fungi (yeasts, zygomycetes and hyphomycetes). Filamentous fungi are preferred sources of lipases among the rest of the lipase producing microorganisms. The main producers of commercial lipases mainly are Rhizopus sp., Pencillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Fusarium sp., Candida International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 11 (2016) pp. 681-690 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com