This paper reviews the synthesis and procedure of sucrose esters

also presents its reaction mechanism. There are mainly four ways to synthesize sucrose esters: solvent method

emulsification method

homogeneous non-solvent method and enzyme catalyst method. Solvent method uses DMF or DMSO which is poisonous as solvent. That restricts applications of sucrose esters in food industry. Emulsification method involves propylene glycol or water instead of DMF or DMSO

and adding emulsifying agents makes the reaction system similar to be homogenous. In non-solvent method

emulsifying agents or effective catalysts are added to reaction system which makes the melting reactants homogenous

while temperature of the reaction usually is too high to operate

and the quality of product is always low. Enzyme catalyst method using enzymes as catalyst is a new biological synthesis method with high selectivity

easy production separation

and moderated condition etc. And sucrose esters purification is also summarized.