Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of oligomers and co-oligomers comprised of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acids and ?-amino acids or peptides is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid with a specific chiral configuration is linked by an amide linkage to a ?-amino acid specific with a specific chiral configuration or linked by an amide linkage to a peptide made up of ?-amino acid monomers having identical chiral configurations. Proteolytic enzymes catalyze oligomerization of the ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid and ?-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to animals such as ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen and other animals such as swine, poultry and aquatic animals.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid or peptide co-oligomers is disclosed wherein a residue of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid is linked to a residue of the &agr;-amino acid or peptide by an amide linkage. Proteolytic enzyme papain catalyzes co-oligomerization of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid or peptide co-oligomers is disclosed wherein a residue of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid is linked to a residue of the &agr;-amino acid or peptide by an amide linkage. Proteolytic enzyme papain catalyzes co-oligomerization of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of oligomers and co-oligomers comprised of &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acids and &agr;-amino acids or peptides is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid with a specific chiral configuration is linked by an amide linkage to a &agr;-amino acid specific with a specific chiral configuration or linked by an amide linkage to a peptide made up of &agr;-amino acid monomers having identical chiral configurations. Proteolytic enzymes catalyze oligomerization of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to animals such as ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen and other animals such as swine, poultry and aquatic animals.