Catalyzes the NADP(+)-dependent oxidation of diverse aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids, with a preference for acetaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde (PubMed:15659684). May play a role in detoxifying aldehydes present during stationary phase (Probable). Cannot use NAD(+) instead of NADP(+) as the electron acceptor. To a lesser extent is also able to oxidize propionaldehyde (propanal), benzaldehyde, mafosfamide, and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. Does not use either glyceraldehyde or glycolaldehyde as substrates (PubMed:15659684). an aldehyde + H2O + NADP(+) = a carboxylate + 2 H(+) + NADPH acetaldehyde + H2O + NADP(+) = acetate + 2 H(+) + NADPH chloroacetaldehyde + H2O + NADP(+) = chloroacetate + 2 H(+) + NADPH H2O + NADP(+) + propanal = 2 H(+) + NADPH + propanoate Magnesium increases enzyme activity with various substrates. Homotetramer. Is repressed by Fis. Positively regulated by RpoS and Crp. Induced by ethanol. Expression is maximally induced during the transition from exponential phase to stationary phase. Belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase family. Extended N-terminus.