Esterase produced by Acinetobacter sp. B1 (strain B1) was optimized by means of one-variable-at-a-time and response surface methodologies. Results of the one-variable-at-a-time experiment showed that Tween 80 significantly increased esterase production of strain B1. The addition of Tween 80 to the culture medium increased the biomass and esterase activity of strain B1, stimulated content of total extracellular protein, and enhanced the oleic acid (C18:1) composition in the cell membrane of strain B1. The influence of eight culture variables on esterase production was evaluated by Plackett-Burman design. Results showed that Tween 80, pH, and K 2 HPO 4 significantly affected the esterase production of strain B1. Tween 80, pH, and K 2 HPO 4 were further optimized by central composite design. Under the optimized conditions (w/v, soluble starch 2.5%, tryptone 1.5%, Tween 80 0.8%, K 2 HPO 4 0.5%, NaCl 0.5%, pH 8.0, inoculum size 1%, and inoculum age 24 h), the maximum esterase activity of strain B1 was 152.13 U/ml, which was 10-fold higher than that of non-optimization after 36 h cultivation.