Magnetically modified palygorskite composites were synthesized with gamma-Fe2O3 dispersing on the external surface of clay mineral. The magnetic clay was characterized with Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Candida sp. 99-125 lipase was immobilized on magnetic palygorskite composites by physical adsorption with enzyme loading of 41.5 mg.g(-1) support and enzyme activity of 2631.6 U.(g support)(-1). The immobilized lipase exhibit better thermal and broader pH stability and excellent reusability compared with free lipase. (C) 2015 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.