The acetone-dried powder of soil bacteria KT 84 effected asymmetric hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-DL-methionine, N-acetyl-DL-methionine, and di-N-benzoyl-DL-cystine to respectively form L-methionine and N-benzoyl-D-methionine (V), L-methonine and N-acetyl-D-methionine, and L-cystine and di-N-benzoyl-D-cystine in a good yield. N-Benzoyl-L-methionine is more easily hydrolyzed by KT 84 than its N-acetyl derivative. The acetone-dried powder of KT 83 hydrolyzed (V) to form D-methionine and benzoic acid.
