Korean scientists have developed a technology to artificially synthesize D-amino acids, a key ingredient in medicine.

A team led by Ewha Women's University nanoscience professor Kim Gwan-mook and researcher Park Hyeon-jeong says the technology uses organic compounds to convert L-amino acids in their natural state to D-amino acids.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on January 11th and the Friday issue of Science magazine.

Professor Kim says D-amino acids are useful in medicine and industrial purposes, predicting that the technology will create a billion dollar market by 2009 and trigger considerable effect at home and abroad.