What enzyme is responsible for converting triglycerides into 2-monoacylglycerol and free fatty acids?

The enzyme responsible for converting triglycerides into 2-monoacylglycerol and free fatty acids is pancreatic lipase. This enzyme plays a crucial role in fat digestion, breaking down triglycerides in the small intestine following emulsification by bile salts.

Pancreatic lipase functions by hydrolyzing the ester bonds in triglycerides, resulting in the release of free fatty acids and 2-monoacylglycerol, which are essential for the absorption of dietary fats into the intestinal epithelial cells. This process is vital for the overall digestion and utilization of lipids in the body, making pancreatic lipase a key enzyme in lipid metabolism.

Other enzymes listed have different functions: elasticase primarily digests elastin, cholesterol esterase is involved in the breakdown of cholesterol esters, and lecithinase acts on phospholipids, none of which are responsible for the hydrolysis of triglycerides in the small intestine. Thus, pancreatic lipase is specifically tailored for the action on triglycerides, confirming its role in converting these fats into absorbable units.