Esterase that preferentially hydrolyzes short-chain fatty acids, particularly pNP-acetate (C2) and pNP-butyrate (C4). Has also weak activity with pNP-hexanoate (C6) and pNP-octanoate (C8). It can also hydrolyze short-chain tryglycerides such as triacetin and tributyrin (PubMed:31001637). Important for intracellular survival (PubMed:31001637). an acetyl ester + H2O = acetate + an aliphatic alcohol + H(+) a butanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + butanoate + H(+) H2O + triacetin = acetate + diacetylglycerol + H(+) 1,2,3-tributanoylglycerol + H2O = butanoate + dibutanoylglycerol + H(+) Esterase activity is significantly inhibited by the serine modifier phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). Completely inhibited by diethyl pyrocarbonate. Optimum pH is 9.0 (with pNP-acetate as substrate). Optimum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius (with pNP-acetate as substrate). Induced under acidic conditions. Disruption of the gene leads to significantly reduced bacterial growth in macrophages and in mice. Belongs to the 'GDSL' lipolytic enzyme family.