| abstract |
(57) Abstract: In a reaction system containing no organic solvent other than a fatty acid and a lower alcohol and having a water content of 10% or less, an ester of a fatty acid and a lower alcohol is prepared by using a lipase that does not exhibit fatty acid selectivity. A method for producing a lower fatty acid ester of a fatty acid, which comprises subjecting the fatty acid to a lowering reaction. According to the present invention, alcohol esters of various unsaturated fatty acids having physiological activity and useful for pharmaceuticals and the like can be prepared without causing problems such as the risk of isomerization, coloring and deterioration odor. Under the conditions, it can be produced in high yield. |