Question

A method for the synthesis of aspartame exemplifies the power of thermolysin, a protease.

(a) True

(b) False

The question was posed to me in a job interview.

This key question is from Recent Advances topic in section Recent Advances in Enzyme Technology of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

Right option is (a) True

Best explanation: Aspartame is a high intensity sweetener and a dipeptide of L-aspartic acid and methyl ester of L-phenylalanine. The procedure of synthesis of aspartame must have the capability to protect the β-carboxyl group and the α-amino group of the L-aspartic acid. If thermolysin is used to catalyze production of aspartame, the regio-specificity of the enzyme helps eliminating the need to protect β-carboxyl group of L-aspartic acid. But the α-amino group must still be protected to prevent the synthesis of poly-L-aspartic acid. Hence the above statement is true.