The ability of immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) to catalyze the direct esterification of glyceryl ferulate (FG) and oleic acid for feruloylated monoacylglycerols (FMAG) preparation in a solvent-free system was investigated. Enzyme screening and the effect of glycerol on the initial reaction rate of esterification were also investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the effects of the reaction temperature (55-65 degrees C), the enzyme load (8-14%; relative to the weight of total substrates), oleic acid/(FG + glycerol) (6:1-9:1; w/w), and the reaction time (1-2 h) on the conversion of FG and yield of FMAG. Validation of the RSM model was verified by the good agreement between the experimental and the predicted values of FG conversion and FMAG yield. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: temperature, 60 degrees C; enzyme load, 8.2%; substrate ratio, 8.65:1 (oleic acid/(FG + glycerol), w/w); and reaction time, 1.8 h. Under these conditions, the conversion of FG and yield of FMAG are 96.7 +/- 1.0% and 87.6 +/- 1.2%, respectively.