Pyruvate is converted into acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) by the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase. This acetyl-CoA is then converted into acetate in E. coli, whilst producing ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation. Acetate formation requires two enzymes: phosphate acetyltransferase and acetate kinase.   
      acetyl-CoA + phosphate → acetyl-phosphate + CoA		
      acetyl-phosphate + ADP → acetate + ATP