Occurrence and properties of an extracellular lipase in Mortierella vinacea

We report extracellular lipase activity in Mortierella vinacea and the infl uence of culture conditions on enzyme production. The effect of ions and or ganic solvents on the enzyme activity was also evaluated, Among different c arbon sources added to the basal medium, olive oil and Tween-80 were found to induce the production and release of lipase to the culture medium. Fe+2 and Ag+1 ions added to the reaction medium inhibited lipolysis, whereas Ca2 and Mg+2 ions stimulated activity. The addition of ethyl acetate, n-hexan e, acetone or n-butanol at concentrations up to 10% v/v increased the triol ein hydrolysis rate.