Studies on Mucor Lipases

Mucor lipolyticus Aac-0102, a new species of Mucor, accumulated lipase in culture fluid when grown in a medium composed of soluble starch, soy bean meal, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and K₂HPO₄. This strain was the most lipolytic of the genus Mucor surveyed.

The culture fluid of this strain hydrolyzed various kinds of fatty acid esters, such as glycerides, Tweens or Spans and optimum activity for the hydrolysis of olive oil occurred at pH 8.0. This pH optimum was common to the lipases of the type cultures Mucor tested. The lipase of Mucor species may be different from that of Rhizopus species or other molds, since their pH optima are not the same.