Shows esterase activity, with a preference for short- and medium-chain fatty acids (PubMed:19225166, PubMed:20103719, PubMed:16716602, PubMed:23843969). Has also weak lipase activity, but does not exhibit cutinase activity (PubMed:19225166, PubMed:23843969). Hydrolyzes various p-nitrophenol-linked aliphatic esters, including pNP-butyrate (C4), pNP-valerate (C5), pNP-hexanoate (C6), pNP-octanoate (C8) and pNP-decanoate (C10) (PubMed:19225166, PubMed:20103719, PubMed:16716602). Can use pNP-laurate (C12) and pNP-myristate (C14), with lower efficiency (PubMed:19225166). Can also hydrolyze monocaprylin and triolein, with a slow turnover (PubMed:20103719). Induces a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in animal model of tuberculosis, cellular and humoral immune responses (PubMed:9673225, PubMed:10076913, PubMed:16716602). Induces interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) release in animal models and in human TB patients (PubMed:9673225, PubMed:10076913, PubMed:16716602). Also induces IL-12 responses in mouse model (PubMed:16716602). a fatty acid ester + H2O = a fatty acid + an aliphatic alcohol + H(+) a butanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + butanoate + H(+) H2O + pentanoate ester = an aliphatic alcohol + H(+) + pentanoate a hexanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + H(+) + hexanoate an octanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + H(+) + octanoate decanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + decanoate + H(+) a dodecanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + dodecanoate + H(+) a tetradecanoate ester + H2O = an aliphatic alcohol + H(+) + tetradecanoate H2O + octanoylglycerol = glycerol + H(+) + octanoate Almost completely inhibited by paraoxon (PubMed:19225166). Inhibited by tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), a specific lipase inhibitor (PubMed:20103719). Optimum pH is 7.5. Optimum temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. Circulating B cells able to spontaneously generate specific antibodies directed against Culp1 are detected during active tuberculosis and in some latent-tuberculosis cases. Belongs to the cutinase family.