Abstract: A process for preparing tocopheryl esters or tocotrienyl esters by acid-catalyzed esterification of a tocopherol or a tocotrienol in a solvent while stirring at elevated temperature, which comprises a) carrying out the esterification with the appropriate carboxylic acid, b) carrying out the esterification with from 2.5 to 6 mol of the carboxylic acid in an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon boiling in the range from 80 to 200° C., or else with from 1.0 to 2.5 mol of the carboxylic acid in a mixture consisting of an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon boiling in the range from 80 to 200° C.

Abstract: Ascorbyl sorbates of the formula I, ##STR1## where the variables independently of one another have the following meanings:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -acyl;where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the oxygen atoms to which they are bonded and the carbon atoms bonded to the oxygen atoms, can form an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle;R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.