Lactate as an alternative to pyruvate in the yeast mediated preparation of PAC

The yeast mediated preparation of phenylacetylcarbinol (l-PAC) via the condensation of benzaldehyde with pyruvate has been conducted in petroleum spirit using lactic acid as the pyruvate precursor. The lactic acid is oxidised in situ to pyruvate, which then condenses with the benzaldehyde. The optimal conditions for the conversion of benzaldehyde to PAC were 5 g yeast/mmol benzaldehyde, 0.5 g lactic acid adjusted to pH 5.63 and no ethanol.