Biocatalysis in Lipids Modification

Dear Colleagues,

Lipids are a broad group of organic compounds that can be defined as small hydrophobic or amphiphilic molecules. The amphiphilic nature of some specific groups of lipids allows them to form vesicles, liposomes, or membranes in the aqueous environment. Natural lipids are synthesized in living organisms from two distinct types of subunits: ketoacyl or isoprene blocks. Therefore, lipids can be divided into eight groups: fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids and polyketides, the derivatives of ketoacyl subunits condensation, and sterols and prenyl lipids that are formed by condensation of isoprenoid subunits. While the term "lipids" is sometimes used synonymously with fats, the latter are actually a subgroup of fats—triacylglycerols. This group of lipids is one of the most widely described in the scientific literature in terms of modification using biocatalysts. Lipases are the most established biocatalysts used for the modification of triacylglycerols and also phospholipids. Over the years, scientists have tried to understand the mechanism of action of lipases and used the acquired knowledge to develop efficient biocatalysts by immobilizing them or applying genetic engineering. Currently, enzymes with improved stability and selectivity are widely used in industry and science for the manufacturing of functional lipids with adjusted physicochemical or nutraceutical properties. These structured lipids have applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics production.

This Special Issue is dedicated to new approaches in enzymatic biocatalysis or biotransformations of a wide range of lipids. It covers different types of reactions, such as esterification, hydrolysis, transesterification interesterification, oxidation, etc. catalyzed by native or genetically improved enzymes from different classes (lipases, phospholipases, oxygenases, hydratases, lipoxygenases, and lyases) or whole cells. Reviews and original research papers on the modification of acylglycerols, phospholipids, waxes, sterols, and prenyl lipids are welcome.

Dr. Natalia Niezgoda
Prof. Anna Chojnacka
Guest Editors

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