Simple and Large-Scale Production of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid and N-Acetyl-D-Mannosamine

We have developed novel methods for large-scale production of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc). For the production of Neu5Ac, we constructed two methods (chemoenzymatic synthesis and enzymation) from N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and pyruvate as substrates with N-acetylneuraminate lyase (Neu5Ac lyase) as a catalyst. In the epimerization from GlcNAc to ManNAc, one of them was carried out by the alkaline condition, and the other was by N-acyl-D-glucosamine 2-epimerase. On the other hand, we also established a novel method for the ManNAc production from Neu5Ac. It was characterized that Neu5Ac cleaved to ManNAc and pyruvate by Neu5Ac lyase on the anion exchange resin for accomplishing the complete cleavage of Neu5Ac. These methods are simple and easy, and fit for the large-scale production of Neu5Ac and ManNAc in industry, so that they may be used as raw ingredients for pharmaceuticals.