When the alcohol component is glycerol, the fatty acid esters produced can be monoglycerides, diglycerides, or triglycerides.
Esters of fatty acids are colorless, although degraded samples are sometime appear to be yellow or even brown.
Biodiesels are typically fatty acid esters made by the transesterification of vegetable fats and oils.
The most commonly used alcohol is methanol, producing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
Fatty acid ethyl esters are biomarkers for the consumption of ethanol (alcoholic beverages).