α-Acetolactic acid is a precursor in the biosynthesis of the branched chain amino acids valine and leucine. α-Acetolactic acid is produced from two molecules of pyruvic acid by acetolactate synthase. α-Acetolactic acid can also be decarboxylated by alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase to produce acetoin.[1][2] The name α-acetolactate is used for anion (conjugate base), salts, and esters of α-acetolactic acid.

References

  1. ^ Wood, B. J. B.; Holzapfel, W. H. (1995). "Carbohydrate Metabolism". The Lactic Acid Bacteria: The genera of lactic acid bacteria. Vol. 2. Springer. pp. 185–186. ISBN 978-0-7514-0215-5.
  2. ^ Marth, E. H.; Steele, J. L. (2001). "Genetics of Lactic acid bacteria". Applied dairy microbiology. Vol. 110 of Food science and technology. A series of monographs. CRC Press. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-8247-0536-7.