Bacillus subtilis lipase A – lipase or esterase?

The question how to distinguish between lipases and esterases is about as old as the definition of the sub-classification is. Many different criteria have been proposed to this end, all indicative but not decisive. Here the activity of lipases in dry organic solvents as criterion is probed on a minimal α/β hydrolase fold enzyme, the Bacillus subtilis lipase A (BSLA) and compared to Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), a proven lipase. Both hydrolases show activity in dry solvents and this proves BSLA to be a lipase. Overall, this demonstrates the value of this additional parameter to distinguish between lipases and esterases. Lipases tend to be active in dry organic solvents while esterases are not active under these circumstances.