Question

what is lactic acid used?

Answer 1

Lactic acid is an organic acid, it can be produced by natural means and also be synthesized artificially.

Explanation:

Lactic acid is an organic acid, it can either be produced naturally or be synthesized artificially. It is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), as an hydroxyl group is present beside a carboxyl group.

Production:

Lactate in body is produced from pyruvate with the help of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. It happens by fermentation during the normal metabolism of the body and exercise. The production takes place only when the lactate present in the body is used up.

Industrially it is produced using microbes, lactic acid bacteria. The bacteria break simple carbohydrates like glucose, galactose, sucrose, etc to lactic acid.

Uses:

• Pharmaceutical industries make use of lactic acid for production of water soluble lactates of insoluble active ingredients.
• It is used brewing industry, fermentation of beer and wine.
• Used as a food preservative, flavoring ingredient.
• It is also present in processed food items.
• It is used in Cosmetic products as disinfectant.
• It acts as an efficient cleansing agent, descaling agent to remove salt precipitates of hard water.
• Its is highly acidic so is used to clean kettles.
• It is also used as an antibacterial in detergents and hand washes.

Answer 2

Lactic acid is an organic acid that may be made chemically or generated naturally. It's an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) since it has both a hydroxyl and a carboxyl group.

Production:

• Lactate is created in the body from pyruvate by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase.
• Fermentation occurs as a result of the body's natural metabolism and activity.
• Only after the lactate in the body is depleted does the production begin.
• Microbes, namely lactic acid bacteria, are used in industrial production.
• Lactic acid is formed when bacteria break down simple carbohydrates such as glucose, galactose, sucrose, and others.

Uses:

• Lactic acid is used in the pharmaceutical industry to generate water soluble lactates of insoluble active substances.
• It's utilised in the brewing sector for beer and wine fermentation.
• As a food preservative and flavouring component.
• It can also be found in processed foods.
• It is utilised as a disinfectant in cosmetic items.