An enzymatic method for the preparation of L‐ [1‐14C] glycerol

Abstract Biologically labelled [1‐ 14 C] glycerol (L‐[1‐ 14 C] glycerol) was prepared by a two step process. Step one involved the preparation of [1‐ 14 C] glycerol 3‐phosphate from 14 CO 2 and D‐ribulose 1, 5‐diphosphate using the enzymes, ribulose diphosphate carboxylase, phosphoglycerate kinase, glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase and L‐α‐glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. Step two involved the conversion of [1‐ 14 C] glycerol 3‐phosphate to [1‐ 14 C] glycerol, by enzymatic dephosphorylation. Based on the criteria of the constancy of the specific activity of glycerol and its derivatives, namely glycerol tribenzoats and glycerol p‐nitrobenzoate, the compound was concluded to be pure. Degradation by methods which discriminate between DL‐ [1‐ 14 C] glycerol, D‐[1‐ 14 C] glycerol and L‐[1‐ 14 C] glycerol indicated the compound to be L‐[1‐ 14 C] glycerol.