L-carnitine via enzyme-catalyzed oxidative kinetic resolution

L-Carnitine of high optical purity was prepared via kinetic resolution using a mutant strain of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ATCC 39647. This organism preferentially metabolized the D-enantiomer of the racemate to furnish L-carnitine. Recovery of L-carnitine was 93%, providing a total weight yield of 46.5% in 92% enantiomeric excess. The mode of degradation of carnitine was shown to proceed via a monooxygenase-catalyzed oxidative cleavage resulting in the formation of trimethylamine and malic acid. The data suggest that the stereoselective metabolism of DL-carnitine is probably the result of differential permeability of the cell membrane towards the optical antipodes.