Investigation progress of preparation methods of phytosterol esters

Phytosterol esters are kinds of novel functional food additives with improving oil–solublity, lowering serum cholesterol and preventing arteriosclerosis. In recent years,phytosterol esters have been widely used and concerned in the international food industry. We summarize various preparation methods of phytosterol esters. The main synthesis of phytosterol esters are biological and chemical catalytic synthesis. The principle,technology and application characteristic of these methods and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods are discussed in order to offering consults for the synthesis and application research of phytosterol esters.