Response of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Amino Acid Derivatives. IV. Lactobacillus casei 280–16A and Phenyllactic Acids. ∗

Abstract

Summary

L- and D-phenyllactic acids were shown to be interchangeable in replacing L-phenylalanine for L. casei 280–16A, but not interchangeable in functioning as a D-α-hydroxy acid source for this organism. It was concluded that L. casei 280–16A cannot racemize phenyllactic acid, and it was suggested that utilization of L- and D-phenyllactic acids in place of L-phenylalanine for this organism is mediated by separate (L- and D-) phenyllactic dehydrogenases.