Method for producing α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-β-ester and method for producing α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-α-methyl ester

US7361458B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

Inventors

• Kenzo Yokozeki · Kawasaki, JP
• Ayako Ohno · Yokohama, JP
• Seiichi Hara · Kawasaki, JP
• Isao Abe · Kawasaki, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 2004
• Grant date: Apr 22, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 6, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P21/06
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for producing an α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-β-ester (also named α-L-(β-o-substituted aspartyl)-L-phenylalanine), which is an intermediate of an α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-α-methyl ester (also named α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester; product name: aspartame), easily, at high yield and inexpensively without going through a complex synthesis method is provided. Further, an easy, inexpensive and high-yield production method for an α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-α-methyl ester is provided. α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-α-methyl ester is produced from a L-aspartic acid-α,β-diester and L-phenylalanine using an enzyme or enzyme-containing substance that has an ability to catalyze a reaction in which L-phenylalanine performs no nucleophilic attack on a β-ester site of L-aspartic acid-α,β-diester but performs a nucleophilic attack on an α-ester site thereof.