The availability of ∈-acetyl-d-lysine and ∈-methyl-dl-lysine for growth

Abstract

The preparation of d-( [long dash] )-Iysine by the action of a bacterial decar-boxylase on d[iota]-lysine, and by Walden inversion from [epsilon]-benzoyl-[iota]-lysine, is described. The e-iV-acetyl derivative of d-lysine, unlike that of [iota]-lysine, did not replace [iota]-lysine in the diet. [epsilon]-iV-Methyl-d[iota]-lysine, which was prepared by an improved method described, was about as active in promoting growth as d[iota]-lysine. The different behavior of [alpha]-methyl-lysine is emphasized.