What is "acetolactic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) The acetylated derivative of lactic acid ''2-acetoxy-propanoic acid''

α-Acetolactic acid (α-acetolactate) 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.