Lipase-coupling esterification of starch with octenyl succinic anhydride

► Enzymatic modification of corn starch was conducted by lipase-coupling esterification with octenyl succinic anhydride. ► Parameters affecting the esterification were studied to optimize the esterification process. ► Characterization of OSA starch synthesized was made by means of FT-IR, SEM and X-ray diffraction. ► In the process, reaction time drastically declined, facilitating scale-up production of OSA starch.