Carbohydrate fatty acid esters are biodegradable, nontoxic and nonionic surfactants, their antimicrobial activity is herein reviewed. The regioselective synthesis of sugar esters with enzymatic and chemical method, especially tin-mediated method, is well described. The antimicrobial activity of these sugar esters, especially how carbohydrate hydrophilic cores, the length of fatty acid chain and the glycoconjugate linkage of sugar fatty acid esters affect their antimicrobial activity is described in detail.