Abstract
Certain strains of Streptomyces were found to convert L-methionine into 3-methylthio-propylamine (MTPA), but not D-methionine. Now, optical resolution of DL-methionine was attempted using this phenomenon. Streptomyces sp. K37 was cultured in a medium containing DL-methionine (10mg/ml). The culture filtrate was applied to a column of Diaion SA-21A (OH form). MTPA was recovered from the effluent by ether exraction. The Diaion SA-21A was eluted with 1N HCI and the eluate was applied to a column of Diaion SK-1 (H form). D-Methionine was eluted from the column with 1N NH4OH and recovered after concentration, decolorization with active carbon, and precipitation with ethanol. The yields of MTPA and D-methionine from the broth were 69.5% and 89.5%, respectively.
