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Bioconversion of renewable resources into lactic acid: an industrial view
A K Yadav1, A B Chaudhari, R M Kothari
1School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, India, and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Information Technology and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India.
Critical Reviews in Biotechnology
|May 19, 2010
Summary
Commercial lactic acid production relies on homo-fermentative batch processes. Optimizing this involves exploring cost-effective raw materials and multi-pronged strategies for higher yields and diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Industrial Microbiology
Background:
- Lactic acid is an anaerobic glycolysis product, commercially produced via homo-fermentative batch operations.
- Synthetic routes exist, but microbial fermentation remains the primary production method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review factors affecting lactic acid production and strategies for optimization.
- To examine the current production and consumption landscape of lactic acid.
- To highlight the potential applications of lactic acid and its derivatives.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of factors influencing lactic acid yield and productivity.
- Evaluation of different fermentation modes (homo-fermentative vs. hetero-fermentative).
- Review of raw material costs and R&D efforts for cost-effective substrates.
Main Results:
- Homo-fermentative batch mode is dominant commercially; hetero-fermentative and thermophilic methods using Rhizopus sp. are less economical.
- Raw materials constitute approximately 70% of production costs, driving research into alternative agri-products.
- Lactic acid's isomers and structure enable diverse applications in chemicals, food, health, and bioplastics.
Conclusions:
- Optimized protocols require multi-pronged strategies focusing on cost-effective raw materials and efficient fermentation.
- Further R&D is crucial to identify economical substrates and enhance microbial lactic acid production.
- Lactic acid and its derivatives offer significant potential across various industrial sectors.
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