Abstract Several β-substituted aspartic acid analogs were tested as growth inhibitors of Escherichia coli and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Of the compounds tested, the two racemic pairs of β-hydroxyaspartic acid were shown to be the most active inhibitors of growth. In most instances, this antagonism was readily reversed by l -aspartic acid. In L. mesenteroides, however, d -aspartic acid appears to be a more effective reversal agent than the l isomer in alleviating the growth inhibition caused by dl -erythro-β-hydroxyaspartic acid. None of the β-substituted aspartic acid analogs tested supported growth of L. mesenteroides, a culture which requires preformed aspartic acid, in the absence of aspartic acid.