Lipase is the enzyme that breaks down fat. It is produced in the pancreas, mouth, and stomach, and is responsible for breaking down fats in food so they can be absorbed in the intestines. Lipase hydrolyzes lipids, the ester bonds in triglycerides, into smaller molecules called fatty acids and glycerol. Without lipase, fats cannot be split into fatty acids and glycerol, and the fats cannot be absorbed. Lipase is one of the main digestive enzymes made in the pancreas, along with amylase and protease.