Relative Catalytic Efficiency of <i>ldhL</i> - and <i>ldhD</i> -Encoded Products Is Crucial for Optical Purity of Lactic Acid Produced by Lactobacillus Strains

Abstract

NAD-dependent l- and d-lactate dehydrogenases coexist in Lactobacillus genomes and may convert pyruvic acid into l-lactic acid and d-lactic acid, respectively. Our findings suggest that the relative catalytic efficiencies of ldhL- and ldhD-encoded products are crucial for the optical purity of lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus strains.