Abstract: Microbial conversion of biomass-derived sugars into short-chain fatty acid esters is a promising strategy. This article summarized four enzymatic pathways and the enzymes involved in the synthesis of short-chain fatty acid esters by microorganisms,including alcohol acyltransferases ( AATs), esterases, hemiacetal dehydrogenases ( HADH) and Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs). Meanwhile, recent research progresses in the synthesis of short-chain fatty acid esters by biological fermentation were alsoreviewed, especially ethyl acetate and butyl butyrate, including ester synthesisinvivousing alcohol acyltransferase and ester synthesis byextracellular esterificationinvitrousing lipase. Finally, taking butyl butyrate as an example, the challenges and prospects of the synthesisof short-chain fatty acids based on bio-fermentation were proposed, hoping to provide reference for the biosynthesis of other short-chainfatty acid esters

Key words: short-chain fatty acid esters, alcohol acyltransferase, lipase, butyl butyrate, microbial co-cultivation