Abstract Besides the well-known papain, lipolytic activity is another interesting enzymatic activity present in latex from Carica papaya. This lipolytic activity is strongly attached to the latex solid phase, resulting in a naturally immobilized biocatalyst. In this work we describe the kinetic resolution of (R, S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester by Carica papaya crude latex and two partially purified latex fractions. Several parameters, such as substrate ...