Ornithine aminotransferase catalyzes the transfer of the amino group from ornithine to α-ketoglutarate, yielding pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) and glutamate, while concurrently oxidizing NADH to NAD⁺. NADH exhibits a characteristic absorption peak at 340 nm. The enzyme activity can be determined by monitoring the rate of change in NADH absorbance at this wavelength.