Chiral resolution of D, L- phenylalanineusing immobilized phenylalanine ammonia- lyase for production of D- phenylalanine

In order to establish a new method for the production of D- phenylalanine, the chiral resolution of D, L- phenylalanine using immobilized phenylalanine ammonia lyase ( PAL) was investigated. The mesoporous silica materials MCM-41 was used as support. Under the optical immobilization conditions, a maximum activity of PAL was 92% of the free enzyme.The reusability of immobilized enzyme retained 85% activity after 20 cycles.Using the immobilized PAL to catalyze resolution of D, L- phenylalanine, a 98% conversion ratio of L- phenylalanine was attained within 24 h, and the enantiomeric excess value of D- phenylalanine attained 96%. The immobilization enzyme ran continuously for 10 batches, the conversion ratio retained above 95%. Therefore, the immobilized PAL showed commercial application for the production of D- phenylalanine from chiral resolution of D, L- phenylalanine.