Lactic acid

• CAS: 50-21-5
• Catalog Number: ACM50215-8
• Category: Main Products
• Molecular Weight: 90.08
• Molecular Formula: C3H6O3
• Description: A concentrated solution of lactic acid is typically a mixture of lactic acid lactate and lactic acid. The concentration of this solution is approximately 90% (w/w).; Lactic acid appears as a colorless to yellow odorless syrupy liquid. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Used to make cultured dairy products, as a food preservative, and to make chemicals.; 2-hydroxypropanoic acid is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is propanoic acid in which one of the alpha-hydrogens is replaced by a hydroxy group. It has a role as a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is functionally related to a propionic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a lactate.; A normal intermediate in the fermentation (oxidation, metabolism) of sugar. The concentrated form is used internally to prevent gastrointestinal fermentation. Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, and has a mild saline taste. It is produced by fermentation of a sugar source, such as corn or beets, and then, by neutralizing the resulting lactic acid to create a compound having the formula NaC3H5O3. Lactic acid was one of active ingredients in Phexxi, a non-hormonal contraceptive agent.
• Synonyms: α-Hydroxypropanoic acid; lactic acid; 2-hydroxypropanoic acid; DL-Lactic acid; 50-21-5; 2-hydroxypropionic acid
• IUPAC Name: 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid
• Canonical SMILES: CC(C(=O)O)O
• InChI: InChI=1S/C3H6O3/c1-2(4)3(5)6/h2,4H,1H3,(H,5,6)
• InChI Key: JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• Boiling Point: 122 °C /15mmHg (lit.)
• Melting Point: 18 °C
• Flash Point: >230 °F
• Density: 1.209 g/ml
• Solubility: Water-soluble
• Appearance: Clear, water-white viscous liquid, characteristic odor
• Application: Lactic acid appears as a colorless to yellow odorless syrupy liquid. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Used to make cultured dairy products, as a food preservative, and to make chemicals.Used as a solvent and acidulant in the production of foods, drugs, and dyes; Also used as a mordant in woolen goods printing, a soldering flux, a dehairing agent, and a catalyst for phenolic resins; Also used in leather tanning, oil well acidizing, and as a plant growth regulator. Applied in Petroleum Production and Refining, Soldering, Farming (Pesticides) ,Leather Tanning and Processing, Fur Dressing and Dyeing, Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing); The fastest growing use for lactic acid is its use as a monomer for the production of polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA). Applications for PLA include containers for the food and beverage industries, films and rigid containers for packaging, and serviceware (cups, plates, utensils). The PLA polymer can also be spun into fibers and used in apparel, fiberfill (pillows, comforters), carpet, and nonwoven applications such as wipes.; In dyeing baths, as mordant in printing woolen goods, solvent for water-insoluble dyes (alcohol-soluble induline, nigrosine, spirit-blue). Reducing chromates in mordanting wool. Manufacturing cheese, confectionery. Component of babies' milk formulas; acidulant in beverages; for acidulating worts in brewing. In preparation of sodium lactate injections. Ingredient of cosmetics. Component of spermatocidal jellies. For removing Clostridium butyricum in manufacturing of yeast; dehairing, plumping, and decalcifying hides. Solvent for cellulose formate. Flux for soft solder. Manufacturing lactates which are used in food products, in medicine, and as solvents. Plasticizer, catalyst in the casting of phenolaldehyde resins.
• Storage: Store light-protected at a cool and dry place
• Assay: 88.0-92.0%
• Composition: Lactic acid, water
• EC Number: 200-018-0
• Exact Mass: 90.031694049
• Features And Benefits: Very useful to rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old surface skin cellsCan reduce the appearance of fine lines, irregular pigmentation, age spots & decreases enlarged poresGood choice for first-time peel users or for those with sensitive skinOften used in creams & lotions at a lower concentration for a more gentle acid-based peel.
• Form: Viscous liquid
• Hazard Statements: Xi,C
• HS Code: 1518004000
• Monoisotopic Mass: 90.031694049
• NACRES: NA.25
• Packaging: 100 mL or 500 mL in poly bottle
• Packing Group: III
• pH: 2
• Physical State: Liquid
• pKa: 3.08
• Quality Level: 200
• Refractive Index: n20/D 1.4262(lit.)
• Safety Description: 26-39-45-36/37/39
• Solubility In Water: Soluble
• Stability: Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
• Storage Conditions: 2-8 °C
• Supplemental Hazard Statements: H290-H314-H303-H315-H318
• Symbol: GHS05
• Topological Polar Surface Area: 57.5 Ų
• UN Number: 3265
• WGK Germany: 2

Case Study

Production of lactic acid

Martinez, Fabio Andres Castillo, et al. Trends in food science & technology 30.1 (2013): 70-83.

The interest in lactic acid is related to many aspects, one of which is its relatively high added value. In addition, the market growth potential for this type of chemical is huge. Lactic acid can be produced alternatively by fermentation or chemical synthesis, and a wide range of different waste materials can be used as substrates. Lactic acid has many applications. It exists in two stereoisomers, which in fact makes the application of one of them or the racemic mixture of great interest in different fields. In particular, the food and pharmaceutical industries prefer the isomer, which is the only one that can be metabolized by the body; however, the chemical industry requires one pure isomer or a mixture of both, depending on the application.
Lactic acid bacteria are named according to their ability to produce lactic acid as the main product of sugar fermentation. Many lactic acid bacteria also encode the enzymes required for aerobic respiration, but do not synthesize heme. Therefore, the respiratory chain does not work unless heme (and heme and menaquinone for some bacteria) is added to the culture medium. Most lactic acid bacteria are catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and have an optimal growth temperature between 20 and 45°C. In addition, they are highly tolerant to acidic conditions (pH < 5), which gives them a competitive advantage over other bacteria. As shown in Table 1, the selection of appropriate microorganisms can ferment sugar solutions from different sources.

Industrial Uses of Lactic Acid

Vijayakumar, J., R. Aravindan, and T. Viruthagiri. Chemical and biochemical engineering quarterly 22.2 (2008): 245-264.

Lactic acid, a naturally occurring multifunctional organic acid, is a valuable industrial chemical used as an acidulant, preservative, and chemical raw material in the food industry, pharmaceutical, leather, and textile industries. One of the most promising applications of lactic acid is its use in biodegradable and biocompatible lactate polymers such as polylactic acid. Lactic acid can be produced by fermentation or chemical synthesis, but biotechnological fermentation processes have received great attention due to environmental concerns, use of renewable resources instead of petrochemicals, low production temperatures, low energy requirements, and high purity. A great deal of research has been conducted on the development of biotechnological methods for lactic acid production, with the ultimate goal of making the process more efficient and economical.
Lactic acid is widely used in almost every area of the food industry, playing a wide range of roles. The main use of lactic acid is in food and food-related applications, which account for about 85% of the demand in the United States. The remaining (about 15%) uses are for non-food industrial applications. Lactic acid occurs naturally in many foods. It has been used for quite some time as an acidulant, preservative, and pH adjuster. Many properties of lactic acid make it a versatile ingredient in the food industry. It has a significant preservative effect and can modulate microbial flora. It has been found to be very effective against certain types of microorganisms. Sometimes a combination of lactic acid and acetic acid is used because it has a stronger bactericidal activity. When turbidity caused by calcium salts is a problem, the use of lactic acid can result in a clear product. Lactic acid is a natural acid found in biological systems, so it can be used as an acidifier and does not introduce foreign elements into the body. In addition, lactic acid is used commercially in the processed meat and poultry industry to extend the shelf life of the product, enhance the flavor, and better control foodborne pathogens. Another potential application of lactic acid in the food industry is the mineral fortification of foods.

Custom Q&A

What is the molecular formula of lactic acid?

The molecular formula of lactic acid is C3H6O3.

What are some synonyms of lactic acid?

Some synonyms of lactic acid are 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and DL-Lactic acid.

What is the molecular weight of lactic acid?

The molecular weight of lactic acid is 90.08 g/mol.

Is lactic acid corrosive to metals and tissue?

Yes, lactic acid is corrosive to metals and tissue.

How is lactic acid used in the food industry?

Lactic acid is used to make cultured dairy products, as a food preservative, and to make chemicals.

What is the IUPAC name of lactic acid?

The IUPAC name of lactic acid is 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.

What is the InChIKey of lactic acid?

The InChIKey of lactic acid is JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N.

What are some other identifiers of lactic acid?

Some other identifiers of lactic acid include CAS numbers (50-21-5, 26100-51-6, 598-82-3, 152-36-3), EC numbers (200-018-0, 209-954-4, 825-250-5), and ICSC number (0501).

How is sodium lactate related to lactic acid?

Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid. It is produced by fermenting a sugar source and neutralizing the resulting lactic acid.

Was lactic acid one of the active ingredients in a contraceptive agent approved by the FDA?

Yes, lactic acid was one of the active ingredients in Phexxi, a non-hormonal contraceptive agent that was approved by the FDA in May 2020.