Lactic Acid Production Through Microbial Fermentation
Summary
Lactic acid is a versatile organic acid with applications spanning food preservation, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the production of biodegradable plastics. It is chiefly produced by microbial fermentation, in which selected bacteria, yeasts, fungi or metabolically engineered strains convert carbohydrates into lactic acid under controlled conditions. Feedstocks range from refined sugars to agricultural residues such as lignocellulosic biomass, fruit pomace, dairy by-products and glycerol. Fermentation modes include batch, fed-batch and continuous operation, as well as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) for polymeric substrates. Advances in strain engineering have improved yields, titers and productivities, while process intensification strategies—such as in situ product removal and integrated membrane separation—have mitigated feedback inhibition and reduced downstream costs. Optical purity of the L- or D-isomer is essential for polylactic acid synthesis and is achieved by selecting homofermentative microorganisms or by precise process control. Sustainability is enhanced by using low-cost, renewable resources and by recycling enzymes and biomass, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to bio-based economies.
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Lactic Acid Production Through Microbial Fermentation publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in lactic acid production through microbial fermentation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Homofermentative: Referring to microorganisms that convert sugars predominantly into lactic acid with minimal by-product formation.
Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF): A process where enzymatic hydrolysis of polymeric substrates and microbial fermentation occur concurrently in a single vessel.
In situ product removal (ISPR): Techniques applied during fermentation to continuously remove lactic acid, thereby preventing end-product inhibition and improving productivity.
Optical purity: The proportion of a single enantiomer (L- or D-lactic acid) relative to the total lactic acid, critical for downstream polymerisation.
Lignocellulosic biomass: Plant-derived material composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, used as a renewable but complex feedstock for fermentation.
References
- Production of lactic acid from date fruit pomace using Lactobacillus casei and the enzyme Cellic CTec2. Environmental Technology & Innovation (2023).
- Lactic acid production – producing microorganisms and substrates sources-state of art. Heliyon (2020).
- Fermentative Lactic Acid Production From Lignocellulosic Feedstocks: From Source to Purified Product. Frontiers in Chemistry (2022).
- A Review of the Recent Developments in the Bioproduction of Polylactic Acid and Its Precursors Optically Pure Lactic Acids. Molecules (2021).
- Lactic Acid: A Comprehensive Review of Production to Purification. Processes (2023).
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