Synthesis of 2-hydroxy acid from 2-amino acid by Clostridium butyricum

Cultures of Clostridium butyricum type strain in synthetic medium supplemented with various L-2-amino acids revealed the presence of the corresponding 2-hydroxy acid. This metabolite is able to produce the polyester poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid). The bioconversion is not stereoselective since D-2-amino acids were also converted. Chiral GC analysis demonstrated that only D-enantiomer is formed from L-leucine.