Compositions and methods for the production of L-
glufosinate are provided. The method involves converting racemic
glufosinate to the L-
glufosinate enantiomer or converting PPO to L-glufosinate in an efficient manner. In particular, the method involves the specific
amination of PPO to L-glufosinate, using L-glutamate, racemic glutamate, or another amine source as an amine donor. PPO can be obtained by the oxidative
deamination of D-glufosinate to PPO (2-oxo-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphinoyl)
butyric acid) or generated via
chemical synthesis. PPO is then converted to L-glufosinate using a
transaminase in the presence of an amine donor. When the amine donor donates an amine to PPO, L-glufosinate and a reaction by-product are formed. For example, when the amine donor is glutamate (including racemic glutamate or L-glutamate), L-glufosinate and the reaction by-product α-ketoglutarate (KG), also known as oxoglutarate, are produced. Because the PPO remaining represents a yield loss of L-glufosinate, it is desirable to minimize the amount of PPO remaining in the reaction mixture. Degradation, other
chemical modification, extraction, sequestration, binding, or other methods to reduce the effective concentration of the by-product, i.e., the corresponding alpha ketoacid or
ketone to the chosen amine donor will shift the reaction equilibrium toward L-glufosinate, thereby reducing the amount of PPO and increasing the yield of L-glufosinate.Therefore, the methods described herein involve the conversion or
elimination of the alpha ketoacid or
ketone by-product to another product to shift the equilibrium towards L-glufosinate.