Alpha-Acetolactate Decarboxylase is produced by submerged fermentation of Bacillus subtilis followed by purification and formulation. It is widely used in food processing.

Diacetyl, the α-acetolactate oxidative decomposition product, is an intermediate along the synthesis of amino acids in yeast, especially of valine and isoleucine. This decomposition process is very slow in yeast. Alpha-Acetolactate Decarboxylase can speed up the transformation of α-acetolactate into acetoin efficiently, avoiding the formation of the diketone, an off flavor in beer, and thereby greatly reducing diacetyl level in beer and diacetyl reduction time. In this way beer maturation time is saved.