The enzyme wax-ester hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.50) catalyzes the reaction
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are wax ester and H<sub>2</sub>O, whereas its two products are long-chain alcohol and long-chain carboxylate.
This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is wax-ester acylhydrolase. Other names in common use include jojoba wax esterase, and WEH.