Catalyzes the racemization of L-alanine to D-alanine, and of L-glutamate to D-glutamate. The activity is low, but likely physiological since T.maritima lacks canonical alr and murI genes, while D-alanine and D-glutamate are essential components of peptidoglycan. Also displays a more efficient cystathionine beta-lyase (CBL) activity, cleaving cystathionine to homocysteine and pyruvate; however, this reaction seems not to be physiologically relevant since T.maritima possesses an O-acetyl-homoserine thiolase (MetY) that bypasses the need of CBL for methionine biosynthesis. Is not able to produce cystathionine, using either O-acetylhomoserine or O-succinylhomoserine, plus L-cysteine as substrates, and thus does not possess cystathionine gamma-synthase (CGS) activity. L-alanine = D-alanine L-glutamate = D-glutamate H2O + L,L-cystathionine = L-homocysteine + NH4(+) + pyruvate kcat is 2.3 sec(-1) for cystathionine beta-lyase activity (at pH 8.8 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 3.3 sec(-1) for cystathionine beta-lyase activity (at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 9.2 sec(-1) for cystathionine beta-lyase activity (at pH 8.0 and 70 degrees Celsius). kcat is 0.022 sec(-1) for alanine racemase activity (at pH 8.8 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 0.0065 sec(-1) for alanine racemase activity (at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 0.0024 sec(-1) for alanine racemase activity (at pH 8.0 and 70 degrees Celsius). kcat is 0.024 sec(-1) for glutamate racemase activity (at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees Celsius). kcat is 1.0 sec(-1) for glutamate racemase activity (at pH 8.0 and 70 degrees Celsius). Optimum temperature is 70 degrees Celsius for the cystathionine beta-lyase activity. Cell wall biogenesis; peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Homotetramer; dimer of active dimers. Belongs to the trans-sulfuration enzymes family.