To provide a novel polypeptide that degrades trans-
fatty acid-containing esters, and the like.SOLUTION: The novel
esterase discovered by the present inventors have activity to degrade trans-
fatty acid-containing esters. The
esterase disclosed herein is a polypeptide consisting of the
amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 8, 12, 16, or 22, or a polypeptide encoded by the
base sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 7, 11, 15, or 21, or a polypeptide having at least 70%
sequence homology thereto. This
esterase has the ability to degrade esters even at low and / or high temperatures, and it was also found that it has excellent
thermal stability in terms of ester
decomposition ability at 65°C. The esterase disclosed herein is useful for oil treatment, for example, in
wastewater treatment, detergents, and fat modification /
oil production technology.SELECTED DRAWING: None