The reaction parameters and the stereospecificity of the enzymatic cleavage of D,L-5-indolylmethylhydantoin in producing L-tryptophan with resting cells of Arthrobacter sp. DSM 3747 were studied. When intact cells were tested, the optimal pH was between 8.5 and 9.0 and the optimal temperature was 50 degrees C. Both, L-N-carbamoylase and hydantoinase could be stabilized over 24 h at 30 and 40 degrees C by the addition of D,L-5-indolylmethylhydantoin. Furthermore, the hydantoinase was stable over 24 h at 50 degrees C by the addition of 0.5 mM Mn2+ ions. The treatment with sodium desoxycholate turned out to be successful in overcoming the poor availability of D,L-5-indolylmethylhydantoin for the cells. The optimal temperature with permeabilized cells decreased to 30 degrees C and therefore ensured a good enzyme stability. While the L-N-carbamoylase proved to be absolutely L-specific, the hydantoinase led to a mixture of enantiomers of N-carbamoyltryptophan. The produced D-N-carbamoyl-tryptophan caused an inhibition of the L-N-carbamoylase. The transformation yield from D,L-5-indolylmethylhydantoin always reached 100%.