The present invention relates to an enzymatically catalyzed method for producing L-glufosinate or a phosphoester thereof. The method includes reacting an activated L-homoserine H.sub.A with a substrate S selected from methylphosphinic acid and esters thereof. Sulfhydrylase enzyme E.sub.1 is used for the enzymatic catalysis. The invention makes accessible new substrates for the enzymatic production of L-glufosinate and its phosphoesters.