An esterase which preferentially hydrolyzes triacylglyceride substrates with short chain fatty acids (C3-C10) with the maximum activity towards tricaprylin (C8:0); essentially inactive on C18:1 or C18:4 substrates. Active against p-nitrophenylesters with fatty acid chain lengths from C6 to C18. a triacylglycerol + H2O = a diacylglycerol + a fatty acid + H(+) Optimum pH is 11-12. Optimum temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. Stable up to 45 degrees Celsius. Induced in rich but not minimal media with glucose as carbon source (at protein level). Induced by growth on n-hexadecane and tributyrin. Belongs to the AB hydrolase superfamily.