Screening of 3, 4-Disubstituted Phenyl-L-alanine-producible Microorganisms

Abstract

Microbial transaminase which catalyzes the reaction between 3, 4-disubstituted phenyl pyruvate and certain amino acids to produce 3, 4-disubstituted phenyl-L-alanine was investigated. Wide distribution of this enzyme among the various kinds of microorganisms was confirmed.
3, 4-Dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (L-Dopa) or 3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl-L-alanine was isolated from corresponding keto acids using three strains of selected microorganisms.