Enzymatic Racemization of Leucine and α-Aminobutyrate

Part II. Distribution of Amino Acid Racemase Activity, Identification of the Organism and New Assay Method of Enzyme

Abstract

The distribution of amino acid racemase activities was investigated in the cell-free extracts of various strains of bacteria. Alanine racemase activity was exclusively found in all the strains tested. However, the cell-free extract of Strain 25-3, which has been identified as Pseudomonas striata, possessed the high activity catalyzing the racemization of alanine, α-aminobutyrate, leucine and methionine. The new and sensitive assay method of amino acid racemase with D-amino acid oxidase and 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolone hydrazone hydrochloride was established.