Cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs), protein coated microcrystals (PCMCs), cross-linked protein coated microcrystals (CLPCMCs) of Candida antarctic lipase B (CALB) were used for esterification of glycerol with palmitic acid in acetone under low water condition. With CLEAs, 81% monoglyceride (MG) along with 4.5% diglyceride (DG) were produced at 1% (v/v) water content in 24 h. The water content in the medium was managed by stepwise addition of the molecular sieves at appropriate time intervals. With PCMCs (potassium sulfate as a core material), 82% monoglyceride along with 4.0% diglyceride were obtained, with 0.5% water (v/v) added initially to anhydrous acetone with molecular sieves present in the reaction medium. With CLPCMC (prepared by cross-linking with 200 mM glutaraldehyde), 87% monoglyceride and 3.3% diglyceride were produced in 24 h in presence of 1% (v/v) water (added initially) and with appropriate amount of molecular sieves added in the reaction medium. The results offer a comparative study on the performance of three high activity preparations of CALB for preparation of monopalmitin with <= 10% of the diglyceride content. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.