Microbial enzymes in lipid metabolism: unveiling the key players in health and disease

The current review investigates the role of microbial enzymes, particularly lipases and cholesterol oxidase, in lipid metabolism as well as their implications for health and disease. It highlights their role in releasing free fatty acids for energy and cell envelope synthesis, modulating host immune responses, and acting as potential therapeutic targets against intracellular pathogenic bacteria. Understanding their sources, purification techniques, and applications is crucial for advancing enzyme technology. An initial search for literature was done on different databases to obtain articles pertaining to the effects of microbial enzymes on lipid metabolism. They focused on these enzymes and their current understanding to highlight their general functionality in health and disease, as well as their innovative therapeutic significance. About them, the current and potential roles of lipids in lipid metabolism, the regulation of host lipid profiles, and their consequences for metabolic disorders were discussed. We conclude that microbial enzymes, such as lipases, cholesterol oxidase, and lipolytic enzymes, play a crucial role in lipid metabolism and human health. They influence cholesterol breakdown, fatty acid release, and bile acid synthesis, and they have therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders. Understanding and targeting these enzymes can lead to personalized therapies, drug development, and improved bioremediation strategies. Their multi-functionality extends to membrane structure, probing, and virulence.