Microbial lipases (MLs) are pivotal biocatalysts in lipid biotechnology due to their diverse enzymatic properties and substrate specificity, garnering significant research attention. This comprehensive review explores the significance of MLs in biocatalysis, providing insights into their structure, catalytic domain, and oxyanion hole. The catalytic mechanism is elucidated, highlighting the molecular processes driving their efficiency. The review delves into ML sources, spanning fungi, yeasts, bacteria, and actinomycetes, followed by a discussion on classification and characterization. Emphasizing the scattered findings in the literature, the paper consolidates the latest information on ML applications across various industries, from food and pharmaceuticals to biofuel production and the paper and pulp industry. The review captures the dynamic landscape of ML research, emphasizing their structure-function relationships and practical implications across diverse sectors.
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