PREPARATION OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE ALPHA-AMINO ACID AND/OR ALPHA-AMINO AMIDE

摘要

PURPOSE:To enable to efficiently prepare an optically active alpha-amino acid and/or alpha-amino amide by hydrolyzing D,L-alpha-amino nitrile and subsequently bringing the hydrolyzed product into contact with one or more kinds of specific microorganisms. CONSTITUTION:D,L-alpha-Amino nitrile such as phenylglycino nitrile is hydrolyzed and subsequently brought into contact with microorganisms such as Pseudomonas.SP at a raw material concentration of 1g-200g/l under a condition of 0-60 deg.C. The supply of the raw material is preferably performed continuously or separately several times so as to suppress the concentration of the raw material to a low level. The reaction is sufficiently carried out and the separa tion and purification of the product is performed by a means using activated charcoal, an ion exchange resin, etc. The thus obtained product is an optically active L-alpha-amino acid and/or alpha-amino amide such as phenylglycine. The latter can be converted into an optically active alpha-amino acid. The obtained amino acid is useful as an additive to foods, feeds, etc., an intermediate for drugs, etc.