Pyruvate stimulates transamination of leucine into α-ketoisocaproic acid and supports 3-methylbutanal production by Lactococcus lactis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of pyruvate and glucose on leucine transamination and 3-methylbutanal production by Lactococcus lactis, including the comparison with cells possessing glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity.

Methods And Results: Lactococcus lactis cells were incubated in chemically defined medium (CDM) with the pH controlled at 5.2 to mimic cheese conditions.