PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METHIONINE

摘要

The invention relates to a practical process for the production of methionine by converting a raw material capable of forming methionine through hydrolysis into methionine by the use of a biocatalyst, which permits repeated use of the biocatalyst, increased accumulation of methionine dissolved in the reaction fluid, and recovery of methionine in the form of a solid product from the reaction fluid, specifically, a process for the production of methionine which comprises the first step of hydrolyzing a raw material capable of forming methionine through hydrolysis, e.g., 2-amino-4-methylthiobutyronitrile or 2- amino-4-methylthiobutanamide, in an aqueous ammonia solution with a biocatalyst to form a methionine-containing aqueous ammonia solution, the second step of separating the methionine-containing aqueous ammonia solution from the biocatalyst, and the third step of distilling off ammonia from the resulting methionine-containing aqueous ammonia solution to precipitate and separate crystals of methionine.