China Biotechnology 2007;27(10):34-38

A Novel Biocatalyst and Its Optimized Process for Preparing L-theanine

Jiayou LI ; Liyun GUO ; Qingcai JIAO

Keywords

L-theanine; N-Acyl-DL-Theanine; Cunnighamella echinulata; L-aminoacylase; Optical resolution

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is the main free amino acid component of tea and its favorable physiological effects on mammals have been reported. An enzymatic method for optically pure L-theanine production with a new L-aminoacylases-production fungi Cunnighamella echinulata 9980 was developed. The optimum conditions for enzymatic catalysis were at pH 6.5 with 50 mmol/L N-Acyl-DLtheanine and 40 mmol/L CoCl2. After 12-h incubation at 50℃,22.5 mmol/L L-theanine was obtained, the conversion rate against N-Acyl-L-theanine being 90%. Cunnighamella echinulata and the aminoacylase were applied in preparation of L-theanine.