The present invention provides mutant-type lipases which demonstrate superior
lipolytic and esterific activities. The mutant-type lipases are characterized by
an amino acid alteration at the residue immediately followed either the serine
residue or the histidine residue or both residues of the Ser-His-Asp catalytic
triad. The Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad is known to be the three residues, although
occur far apart in the amino acid sequence of a lipase, that contribute to the
hydrolytic activity in the active site of the lipase. The amino acid residue that
follows the serine residue of the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad is alanine. The amino
acid residue that follows the histidine residue of the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad
is isoleucine. The wild-type lipase is preferably originated from Staphylococcus,
particularly Staphylococcus epidermindis. The present invention also
relates to a method for preparing the mutant-type lipases by site-directed mutagenesis
using PCR and a method for utilizing the mutant-type lipase to catalyze synthesis
of flavor esters to be used in food industry.