PRODUCTION OF alpha -HYDROXY-CARBOXYLIC ACIDS USING A COUPLED ENZYME SYSTEM

摘要

An economical and expedient method is disclosed for the preparation of alpha -hydroxy-carboxylic acids or salts thereof in very high enantiomeric purity which comprises oxidizing a corresponding alpha -amino-carboxylic acid or salt thereof using an amino acid deaminase followed by reducing the corresponding alpha -keto-carboxylic acid or salt produced using a D- or L- lactate dehydrogenase in the combination with an electron donor and an enzyme/substrate system for recycling the electron donor. The resulting alpha -hydroxy-carboxylic acids, hydrates, and salts thereof are valuable components and intermediates in the preparation of chiral compounds, especially pharmaceuticals. This invention also relates to the use of alpha -amino-carboxylic acids, hydrates, and salts thereof and a coupled enzyme system in the production of alpha -hydroxy-carboxylic acids, hydrates, and salts thereof.