Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with excellent monodispersity, colloidal stability and biocompatibility are important for the fabrication of magnetic targeted drug delivery system. In this study, magnetic lipid microcapsules (MLMs) containing lipid-coated MNPs were fabricated. 5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) release from MLMs triggered through thermal activation of MNPs was investigated in detail upon application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The experimental results revealed that coating lipid on MNPs effectively reduced the MNPs aggregation, enhanced the dispersion, stability and biocompatibility but did not affect their heat transfer. This new drug delivery system holds a great potential on cancer treatment. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.