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.