Sodium lactate

Description

Sodium lactate has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. It is used as a food additive as a safe organic preservative for fish, sausage, etc. Sodium lactate is a naturally occurring humectant that is an extremely effective moisturizer. It could be used in cosmetics, such as aftershave lotion. Sodium lactate is also advocated in the treatment of bradyeardia and asystole associated with complete heart block.

References

[1] M. Suan Brewer, F. Mckeith, S. E. Martin, A. W. Dallmier and J. Meyer, Sodium Lactate Effects on Shelf-Life, Sensory, and Physical Characteristics of Fresh Pork Sausage, Journal of Food Science, 1991, vol. 56, 1176-1178
[2] Khalid Ibrahim Sallam, Antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of sodium acetate, sodium lactate, and sodium citrate in refrigerated sliced salmon, Food Control, 2007, vol. 18, 566-575
[3] Dawn C. Minetti, Clear, hydroalcoholic aftershave lotion which moisturizes, conditions, and prevents irritation, Patent US 4758599 A, 1986
[4] John F. Murray and S. H. Boyer, Ventricular Arrhythmias after Intravenous Sodium Lactate in Heart Block, Circulation, 1957, vol. 15, 547-558

Description

Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid that 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
As early as 1836, sodium lactate was recognized as a salt of a weak acid rather than being a base, and it was then known that the lactate had to be metabolized in the liver before the sodium could have any titrating activity.

Chemical Properties

colourless liquid

Chemical Properties

Sodium lactate occurs as a clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid. It is odorless, or has a slight odor with a characteristic saline taste. It is hygroscopic.

Uses

The sodium salt of lactic acid (L113490). It acts as a preservative, acidity regulator, and bulking agent.

Uses

Instead of glycerol in calico printing; as a plasticizer for casein; as a corrosion inhibitor in alcohol antifreeze mixture.

Definition

ChEBI: An organic sodium salt having lactate as the counterion.

General Description

Sodium DL-lactate is an organic, sodium salt of lactic acid. It is a hygroscopic agent and a component of natural moisturizing factor (NMF). It is usually produced by fermentation.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Sodium lactate is widely used in cosmetics, food products and pharmaceutical applications including parenteral and topical formulations.
Therapeutically, sodium lactate is used in infusions as a component of Ringer-lactate solution; as an alternative for sodium hydrogencarbonate in light acidosis; as a rehydrating agent; and as a carrier for electrolyte concentrates or medicines in perfusion/ infusion solutions.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Sodium lactate functions as a buffer to maintain osmotic and charge balance. It serves as a humectant, especially in cosmetic preparations. It acts a flavoring agent in meat and poultry products. Sodium lactate also plays a role as a buffer. Sodium lactate could be an alternative source of energy and an oxidative substrate in case of lack of oxygen in brain cells.

Food additive

Sodium lactate need not be restricted by someone avoiding milk or those with a milk allergy.In general, lactates such as sodium, calcium, and potassium lactate are salts derived from the neutralization of lactic acid and most commercially used lactic acids are fermented from dairy - free products such as cornstarch, potatoes, or molasses. Sugar or tapioca additionally may be used. However some lactic acid is fermented from dairy products such as whey and lactose . Whey is made of up 6.5 % solids of which 4.8% is solid lactose . Waste whey typically is used to produce lactic acid when the whey itself is produced as waste during the manufacture of certain dairy products . As a result, such dairy-type lactic acid generally goes back into dairy products, such as ice cream and cream cheese, rather than into non - dairy products. Moreover, although the lacticacid starter culture to ferment corn or beets may contain milk, sodium lactate does not contain milk protein and need not be restricted by someone avoiding milk or those with a milk allergy.

Uses

As a food additive, sodium lactate has the E number E325 and is naturally a liquid product, but also is available in powder form. It acts as a preservative, acidity regulator, and bulking agent.
Sodium lactate is sometimes used in shampoo products and other similar items such as liquid soaps as it is an effective humectant and moisturizer.
Sodium lactate is used to treat arrhythmias caused by overdosing of class I antiarrythmics, as well as pressor sympathomimetics which can cause hypertension.
It also can be given intravenously as a source of bicarbonate for preventing or controlling mild to moderate metabolic acidosis in patients with restricted oral intake (for sodium bicarbonate) whose oxidative processes are not seriously impaired. However, the use in lactic acidosis is contraindicated.

Safety

Sodium lactate occurs naturally in the body and is involved in physiological processes. It is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material when used as an excipient. Low concentrations are well tolerated by skin and eye mucosa, although higher concentrations should be avoided.
LD50 (rat, IP): 2 g/kg

storage

Sodium lactate should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry, place. Sodium lactate is combustible and decomposes upon heating.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed (not for infant formulas). Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (epidural, IM, IV, and SC injections; oral suspensions; topical gels and solutions). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.