Magnetically separable nanospheres consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and succinated PEI grafted on silica coated magnetite (Fe3O4) were prepared and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared magnetic nanoparticles were then applied for physical adsorption or covalent attachment of Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase (Tu) via glutaraldehyde or hexamethylene diisocyanate. The reusability, storage, pH and thermal stabilities of the immobilized enzymes compared to that of free lipase were examined. The obtained results showed that the immobilized lipase on MNPs@PEI-GLU was the best biocatalyst which retained 80% of its initial activity after 12 cycles of application. The immobilized lipase on the selected support (MNPs@PEI-GLU) was also applied for the synthesis of ethyl valerate. Following 24 h incubation of the immobilized lipase on the selected support in n-hexane and solvent free media, the esterification percentages were 72.9% and 28.9%, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.