An enzymatic route to L-ornithine from L-arginine--activation and stabilization studies on L-arginase.

L-ornithine has growth potential for parenteral nutrition and as a component for biologically active peptides. A process for enzymatic conversion of L-arginine to L-ornithine with arginase has been developed and tested on a pilot scale. With activation of arginase by Mn2+ and stabilization by ascorbic acid, the enzyme is sufficiently active and stable for application in large-scale L-ornithine synthesis.