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.