Enantioselective oligomerization of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and alpha-amino acids

An enzymatic synthesis and composition of oligomers and co-oligomers comprised of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and alpha-amino acids or peptides is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid with a specific chiral configuration is linked by an amide linkage to a alpha-amino acid specific with a specific chiral configuration or linked by an amide linkage to a peptide made up of alpha-amino acid monomers having identical chiral configurations. Proteolytic enzymes catalyze oligomerization of the alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid and alpha-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to animals such as ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen and other animals such as swine, poultry and aquatic animals.