(2S,3S,4S)-3-(4-Acetoxyphenyl)-2-amino-3-methylbutan-4-olide (S,S,S)-11, a precursor for the aminoacid part of Nikkomycin B, was prepared in a five step synthesis in 12% yield, involving two enzymatic steps. First enantiopurity was achieved by resolution of racemic ester 3 using protease from Aspergillus oryzae and second in lactone (RS,S,S)-10 the N-acetyl group was removed distereo- and chemoselectively to give the final aminolactone (S,S,S)-11 by application of acylase from Aspergillus sp. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.