Design of chromogenic probes for efficient screening and evaluation of feruloyl esterase-like activities

•Hydroxycinnamate-based chromogenic substrates were synthesized in good yields.•Detection of esterase activity was achieved in both solid and liquid media.•Indolyl- and 4NTC-based synthetic probes are suitable for high-throughput screening.•4NTC ferulate is a new tool for the characterization of feruloyl esterases.