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Aminotransferase‐Catalyzed Conversion of D‐Amino Acids to L‐Amino Acids
Author(s) -
Fotheringham Ian G.,
Kidman Gene E.,
Mcarthur Brian S.,
Robinson Larry E.,
Scollar Mark P.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp00010a014
Subject(s) - amino acid , chemistry , bioconversion , phenylalanine , leucine , stereospecificity , stereoselectivity , catalysis , ammonia , biochemistry , organic chemistry , stereochemistry , fermentation
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.