A method of preparing a compound of formula (I): wherein: a first group selected from R1, R2 and R3 is an amino- or N-acylamino monosaccharide moiety, the acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an oligosaccharide chain comprising 2 to 4 monosaccharide moieties, at least one of which is an amino- or N-acylamino monosaccharide moiety； a second group selected from R1, R2 and R3 is a saturated or unsaturated acyi group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms； and a third group selected from R1, R2 and R3 is hydrogen, the method comprising contacting a monoacylglycerol, the acyl moiety thereof being a saturated or unsaturated acyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms, or an activated derivative thereof, with a source of amino- or N-acylamino monosaccharide moiety, or an activated derivative thereof, and, if required, a source of unsubstituted monosaccharide moiety, or an activated derivative thereof, optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst or activating agent, is described. Novel compounds, as well as In situ methods for producing the compounds,, and their use as emulsifiers, surfactants and antimicrobial agents, particularly in foodstuffs and detergent compositions, are also described.Se describe un método para preparar un compuesto de Fórmula (I): (Ver Formula) en donde: un primer grupo seleccionado de R1, R2 y R3 es una entidad monosacárida amino o N-acilamino, y el grupo acilo tiene de 1 a 6 átomos de carbono, o una cadena de oligosacáridos que comprende de 2 a 4 entidades monosacáridas, y por lo menos una de ellas es una entidad monosacárida amino o N-acilamino； un segundo grupo seleccionado de R1, R2 y R3 es un grupo acilo saturado o insaturado que tiene de 3 a 40 átomos de carbono； y un tercer grupo seleccionado de. R1, R2 y R3 es hidrógeno； el método comprende poner en contacto un monoacilglicerol, cuya entidad acilo es un grupo acilo saturado o insaturado que tiene de 3 a 40 átomos de carbono, o un derivado activado de este, con una fuente de entidad monosacárida
