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Updated: May 11, 2026

The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
Published on: June 16, 2022
Recent advances in lactic acid production by microbial fermentation processes.
Mohamed Ali Abdel-Rahman1, Yukihiro Tashiro, Kenji Sonomoto
1Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Division of Applied Molecular Microbiology and Biomass Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan; Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, PN:11884, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
Reducing lactic acid production costs is key for biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) applications. This review explores inexpensive substrates and improved bioprocesses for efficient lactic acid fermentation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology
- Sustainable Polymers
Background:
- Lactic acid is crucial for biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) production.
- High lactic acid costs currently limit large-scale PLA applications.
- Developing cost-effective lactic acid production is a major research goal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for reducing lactic acid production costs.
- To explore the use of inexpensive substrates for lactic acid fermentation.
- To summarize advancements in lactic acid bioprocesses and recovery.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on lactic acid production.
- Analysis of fermentation characteristics and metabolism of lactic acid producers.
- Comparison of various inexpensive substrates and bioprocess techniques.
Main Results:
- Inexpensive substrates like food waste and glycerol can replace costly sugars.
- Optimized fermentation modes, including high cell density techniques, enhance production.
- Improved recovery processes contribute to overall cost reduction.
Conclusions:
- Utilizing low-cost feedstocks and advanced bioprocesses can significantly lower lactic acid production costs.
- Further research in microbial engineering and recovery optimization is needed.
- Cost-effective lactic acid production will drive wider adoption of biodegradable PLA.
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Microbial Fermentation
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