Question

What coenzyme is required to convert pyruvate to acetaldehyde?

Short answer

Thiamine pyrophosphate is required for the conversion of pyruvate to acetaldehyde.

Step-by-step solution

Step-by-Step SolutionStep 1: Conversion of pyruvate to acetaldehyde

Pyruvate is converted into acetaldehyde by the process of decarboxylation.The reaction proceeds in the presence of ${\text{Mg}}^{\text{2+}}$ion and in the presence of pyruvate decarbocarboxylase. It means the enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of pyruvic acid to acetaldehyde.

Functional group change in pyruvate to lactate conversion

Functional group change

If we observe the above reaction then ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$group from pyruvate is lost and we get acetaldehyde as a product in the presence of thiamine pyrophosphate.