A bacterial lipase from Arthrobacter sp. (ABL: HIM Jammu, India strain, MTCC No. 5125) has been immobilized on non-magnetic (Type A) and magnetic (Type B) supports derived from copolymetization of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and tetraethylorthosilicate. Immobilized ABL presented 21-34 mg/g protein binding providing 30-75 units/g activity in Type A non-magnetic composites and 24-45 mg/g protein binding providing 35-90 units/g activity with Type B supports containing magnetic particles. Immobilized ABL preparations have shown enhanced stability at pH 5-9 and temperature up to 70 degrees C whereas free ABL is unstable under these conditions. Improved hydrolytic conversion as well as enantioselectivity were observed with acyl fluoxetine intermediate (ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate alkyl acylates) and chiral auxiliaryacyl 1-phenyl ethanol using immobilized ABL derivatives lee similar to 99%; 3-4-fold increase in E-values) as compared to ABL enzyme/cells lee 93-98%). Introduction of magnetic particles in these supports has led to easier separation process with high product recovery yields. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.