NADP-dependent dehydrogenase of the nED (non-phosphorylated Entner-Doudoroff) pathway with highest activity towards glyceraldehydes (e.g. D,L-glyceraldehyde and D-glyceraldehyde), to a lesser extent towards D,L-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and glycolaldehyde, but no activity towards aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes. D-glyceraldehyde + H2O + NADP(+) = (R)-glycerate + 2 H(+) + NADPH Inhibited by calcium, cadmium, copper and mercury ions. Stable for 2 hours at 60 degrees Celsius but activity is decreased to less than 50 percent within 20 minutes at 80 degrees Celsius. Two folds activity enhancement in the presence of 1 mM glutathione, DTT, or 2-mercaptoethanol. Complete activity inhibition by thiol-modifying reagents such as p-chloromercuribenzoic acid or p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoic acid. kcat is 26 sec(-1) with glyceraldehyde as substrate, 20 sec(-1) with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate as substrate, 37 sec(-1) with glycolaldehyde as substrate and 25 sec(-1) with NADP as substrate (at pH 7.9 and 58 degrees Celsius). Optimum pH is 7.6-8. Optimum temperature is 50-55 degrees Celsius at pH 8 and 63 degrees Celsius at pH 7.6. Carbohydrate degradation; glycolysis. Homotetramer. Dimer of dimers. Belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase family. Glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase subfamily.