Process for the preparation of asparagine
OwnerRobert Erickson, Ron Bray +3inventors
InventorsRobert Erickson, Ron Bray, Mark Johnson, Loraine Klein, Dennis A. Seagle
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Abstract
The present invention is an improved process for the synthesis of asparagine, a non-essential amino acid useful in food and medical applications. The process utilizes mineral acid to make an intermediate beta-methyl aspartate from a reaction mixture of aspartic acid and methanol. The intermediate product is then amminated in situ and asparagine collected with no need for an isolation step of the intermediates.
Claims8
A improved process for the preparation of asparagine comprising the steps of:
- a) Preparing a slurry of L-aspartic acid, methanol and mineral acid to yield the beta-methyl aspartate;
- b) Neutralizing said beta-methyl aspartate with a sufficient quantity of aqueous ammonia;
- c) Heating the mixture so as to remove any excess methanol;
- d) Treating the mixture with additional excess ammonia for a sufficient period of time;
- e) Concentrating the solution and adjusting the pH to approximately 5.4;
- and
- f) Recovering the resulting asparagine monohydrate product.
A method for the preparation of asparagine, comprising the methylation of aspartic acid in the presence of methanol and sulfuric acid to yield beta-methyl aspartic sulfate, subsequently aminating the intermediate in-situ by the addition of aqueous ammonia and heat to form asparagine monohydrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.