Studies on the biosynthesis of .BETA.-amino acids, the lipid moiety of iturins A, in Bacillus subtilis.

The biosynthesis of the beta-amino acid components of iturins A was studied in comparison to the biosynthesis of fatty acids. Palmitic acid was incorporated into the lipid moiety of iturins A when it was added to the culture medium of the iturin producer Bacillus subtilis. Addition of unlabeled palmitic acid enhanced the formation of straight-chain beta-amino acids and addition of valine or leucine increased the production of branched beta-amino acids. These modifications correlated with modifications in the corresponding biosynthesized fatty acids.