Lactic acid has been used:
- as a component in substrate solution II for lactate dehydrogenase reaction
- as an additive in storage solution A
- as a supplement in the artificial gastric juice preparation for evaluation of degree of resistance Lactobacillus to the gastric stresses
It is most commonly used for fluid resuscitation after blood loss due to trauma, surgery, or burn injury. It is used in the agricultural, chemical, leather processing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries, used as an electroplating agent, food/feed additive, pH regulator, cleaning/washing agent, and tanning agent; used to flavor animal feeds; used as a solvent and intermediate in chemical production, as a pH regulator in fabric finishing, and in paints, coatings, soaps, and cleaning products; used to make large scale and fine chemicals, pulp-paper-paper products, food products, and plastic products, in mining, health services, agriculture-forestry-fishing, and building and construction work.
Occurs in small quantities in the blood and muscle fluid of man and animals. The lactic acid concentration increases in muscle and blood after vigorous activity. L-(+)-Lactic acid is also present in liver, kidney, thymus gland, human amniotic fluid, and o
ChEBI: An optically active form of lactic acid having (S)-configuration.
L-(+)-Lactic acid is the only naturally occurring lactic acid in humans and mammals. Commercially, few bacteria like Lactobacillus casei, L. delbrueckii, Streptococcus lactis produces L-Lactic acid by fermentation process. Lactic acid activates hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor, G-protein coupled receptor 81 (GPR81).
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
L-(+)-Lactic acid is used as a substrate for lactic acid dehydrogenase and lactate oxidase.
Purify lactic acid by fractional distillation at 0.1mm pressure, followed by fractional crystallisation from diethyl ether/isopropyl ether (1:1, dried with sodium). [Borsook et al. J Biol Chem 102 449 1933.] The solvent mixture, *benzene/diethyl ether (1:1) containing 5% pet ether (b 60-80o) has also been used. [Brin Biochemical Preparations 3 61 1953, Beilstein 3 IV 633.]