Ascertainment of D‐amino acids in germ‐free, gnotobiotic and normal laboratory rats

Abstract
Free D‐amino acids were ascertained in the blood serum, urine and aqueous ethanolic extracts of feces of germ‐free laboratory rats and a rat made gnotobiotic (tetra‐associated) with species of Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Clostridium. D‐Amino acids were also determined in the brains of two germ‐free rats. For comparison, D‐amino acids were also measured in the blood serum of normal rats and the blood plasma, urine and feces of normal white mice. D‐Enantiomers of most protein L‐amino acids were detected in all physiological samples of animals. Quantities of free D‐amino acids were determined as N(O)‐pentafluoropropionyl‐(2)‐propyl esters by enantioselective gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Stereoisomers of the bacterial marker 2,6‐diaminopimelic acid, analyzed as N‐trifluoroacetyl‐(2)‐propyl esters, were detected in feces of the gnotobiotic but not of the germ‐free rat. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abbreviations used: common protein amino acids are abbreviated according to three‐letter nomenclature Asx, Asp/Asn Glx Glu/Gln Dap 2,6‐diaminopimelic acid GC‐SIM‐MS gas chromatographie/selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry Orn ornithin.

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