Esterification of beta -methylglucoside with an alpha -hydroxy acid (glycolic, lactic or malic acid) was carried out using Novozym 435 (Lipase B from Candida antarctica). 2-Methyl-2-butanol was more efficient as solvent for the reaction than ethyl acetate, 1,4-dioxane, n-hexane, acetonitrile or acetone. The molar ratio of beta -methylglucoside:alpha -hydroxy acid which gave the quickest reaction rate was 1:10 and the highest conversion (75%) was with malic acid.