Aminotransferase-catalyzed conversion of D-amino acids to L-amino acids

Abstract
A microbial bioconversion process is described for the conversion of D‐amino acids or the corresponding racemic mixtures to L‐amino acids. The process comprises reacting a D‐amino acid or a D,L mixture of an amino acid with glucose and ammonia in the presence of an aminotransferase‐containing culture of Escherichia coli. The aminotransferase is only moderately stereoselective in converting D‐and L‐amino acids to the keto acids. The aminotransferase‐mediated conversion of α‐keto acid to L‐amino acid exhibits very high stereospecificity, thus rendering the conversion of D‐amino acids irreversible. Conversions of leucine, phenylalanine, and homophenylalanine to the corresponding L isomers are described.

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