Antagonisms in the utilization of d-amino acids by lactic acid bacteria. IV. d-Aspartic acid.

Investigations with glutamic acid, methionine, and alanine have shown that n-amino acid utilization by lactic acid bacteria may be inhibited by specific antimetabolites (l-4). This has been taken to indicate that a conversion of o-amino acid substrate to the L form precedes its utilization, and that this process may be blocked by an appropriate inhibitor. Both Land n-alanines have been shown to be essential metabolites for Lactobacillus mannitopoeus by inhibiting the metabolic interconversion of these enantiomorphs (2). Analogous studies have now been made with aspartic acid.