Production of L-phenylalanine from acetamidocinnamic acid usingBacillus sphaericus andParacoccus denitrificans

To establish an efficient production method for L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), the possibility of L-Phe production from acetamidocinnamic acid by a two-step enzyme reaction was investigated.Bacillus sphaericus N-7 (FERM-P no. 6746) was selected as an enzyme source for the acylase used to form phenylpyruvic acid from aceta midocinnamic acid.Paracoccus denitrificans IFO 12442 was selected as an aminotransferase source for the conversion of phenylpyruvic acid to L-Phe. By using both cell types, 0.46M L-Phe was produced in a molar yield of 92% from 0.5M acetamidocinnamic acid.