Synthesis of fluoroacetate from fluoride, glycerol, and beta-hydroxypyruvate by Streptomyces cattleya

Fluoroacetate and subsequently 4-fluorothreonine are produced by Streptomyces cattleya after addition of the inorganic fluoride to the culture broth. Tracer experiments showed that the carbon skeleton of fluoroacetate is taken from C-1 and C-2 of glycerol through beta-hydroxypyruvate, whose hydroxyl group is replaced by fluoride.