Enzymatic synthesis of 'natural-labeled' 6-deoxy-L-sorbose precursor of an important food flavor

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00379-1

A biological route to natural 6-deoxy-L-sorbose is described. This method is based on the production of natural hydroxypyruvate and 4-deoxy-L-threose and their conversion into 6-deoxy-L-sorbose: hydroxypyruvate is obtained from L-serine by serine: glyoxylate aminotransferase catalysis, 4-deoxy-L-threose is obtained by microbial isomerization of 4-deoxy-L-erythrulose, this last being obtained from acetaldehyde (a naturally-available compound) and hydroxypyruvate by transketolase catalysis.