Catalyzes the irreversible oxidation of L-lactaldehyde to L-lactate (PubMed:6345530, PubMed:3298215, PubMed:3308886, PubMed:27671251). Also shows high activity with glycolaldehyde and L-glyceraldehyde (PubMed:6345530, PubMed:3308886, PubMed:3275622, PubMed:16731973, PubMed:31850327). Has weaker activity with various aldehydes such as methylglyoxal, propionaldehyde or benzaldehyde (PubMed:3308886, PubMed:16731973). Involved in the degradation of lactaldehyde produced during metabolism of L-fucose and L-rhamnose (PubMed:3298215, PubMed:3275622). It may be involved in several other metabolic pathways (PubMed:3308886). (S)-lactaldehyde + H2O + NAD(+) = (S)-lactate + 2 H(+) + NADH glycolaldehyde + H2O + NAD(+) = glycolate + 2 H(+) + NADH Substrate inhibition is very strong with lactaldehyde, diminishing progressively with glycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde or methylglyoxal (PubMed:3308886). Inhibited by p-hydroxy mercuribenzoate and by some cations, including Mn(2+), Ca(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) (PubMed:3308886). Inhibited by NADH (PubMed:3275622). kcat is 761 sec(-1) with L-lactaldehyde as substrate (PubMed:27671251). kcat is 52 sec(-1) with glycolaldehyde as substrate (PubMed:31850327). kcat is 1100 min(-1) with glycolaldehyde as substrate. kcat is 37 min(-1) with acetaldehyde as substrate. kcat is 108 min(-1) with propionaldehyde as substrate. kcat is 55 min(-1) with benzaldehyde as substrate. kcat is 28 min(-1) with phenylacetaldehyde as substrate (PubMed:16731973). Optimum pH is 10. Optimum temperature is 40 degrees Celsius. Carbohydrate degradation; L-fucose degradation. Carbohydrate degradation; L-rhamnose degradation. Homotetramer. Induced, under aerobic conditions, by at least three different types of molecules, the sugars fucose and rhamnose, the diol ethylene glycol and the amino acid glutamate. Belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase family.