Biocatalytic esterification of caprylic acid with caprylic alcohol by immobilized lipase on amino-functionalized mesoporous silica

► MS and NH-MS were prepared as carriers to immobilize PPL by physical adsorption. ► NH-MS-PPL exhibited greater loading amount than MS-PPL. ► Immobilized PPL was employed to catalyze triacetin hydrolization. ► Immobilized PPL was employed to catalyze esterification. ► The performance of PPL immobilized on functionalized MS was superior to that on MS.