Process for producing a free amino acid from an alkali metal salt thereof.

摘要

A process for producing a free amino acid from an alkali metal salt of said amino acid, which comprises using at least one electrolytic cell having a cation-exchange membrane between the anode and the cathode to separate the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, circulating through the anode chamber an anolyte which is an aqueous solution containing (1) an amino acid having one amino group and one carboxyl group and (2) an alkali metal salt there of, while keeping the pH of the anolyte at 9.5 or below by adding to the anolyte said alkali metal salt or an aqueous solution containing said alkali metal salt, circulating through the cathode chamber a catholyte which is an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution, and passing a direct current between the two electrodes to form a free amino acid in the anolyte and an alkali metal hydroxide in the catholyte.