Biocatalytic acylation of sugar alcohols by 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid

► New sugar alcohols esters with HPPA were biocatalytically synthesized. ► The reaction conditions were optimized to achieve the highest conversion. ► The relative amount of mono- and diester can be adjusted by control of parameters. ► The catalytic efficiency of the enzyme was higher for pentitols than for hexitols. ► The new aromatic esters of sugar alcohols were isolated and characterized.