A thermostable and organic-solvent tolerant esterase from Pseudomonas putida ECU1011: Catalytic properties and performance in kinetic resolution of α-hydroxy acids

► First recombinant esterase for α-acetoxy carboxylates deacetylation was reported. ► The half-lives of rPPE01 were 14 days at 50 °C and 30 days at 30 °C. ► The activity and stability of rPPE01 were enhanced with organic solvents. ► rPPE01 exhibited excellent enantioselectivity to α-acetoxy carboxylates.