Sugar/sugar alcohol esters

A process for the preparation of esters of general formula I

• (R--COO--).sub.n --R.sup.1 (I)
• wherein R is an alkyl group containing 4-24 carbon atoms which can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted, n is 1 to 3 and R.sup.1 is derived from a hydroxyl donor selected from a sugar and a polyol containing the moiety ##STR3## which comprises in a reactor, reacting a hydroxyl donor selected from a sugar and a polyol of formula
• R.sup.1 --(OH).sub.n
• wherein R.sup.1 and n are as defined above, with an acyl donor selected from a fatty acid and a fatty acid derivative of the formula
• R--CO--X
• wherein R is as defined above and X is OH, OR', Cl or OOCR", in which R' and R" are an alkyl chain having 1-24 carbon atoms which can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted, in a solvent therefor, wherein the solvent is inert towards the reaction and does not inhibit the catalyst, selected from the group consisting of those which have a boiling point below 100.degree. C. and form an azeotrope with water, and those which have a boiling point above 100.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure, and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of ester bonds, and under reduced pressure sufficient to vaporize the solvent and by-product water, and continuously removing the water while retaining the solvent.