食品保存のための乳酸製造

発酵食品革命を支える天然防腐剤

Food Processing & Preservation Global Industrial Scale $3.0 billion

概要

Lactic acid is produced commercially by fermentation of glucose or sucrose using Lactobacillus species, serving as a food preservative, acidulant, and the monomer for biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. The fermentation process produces optically pure L-(+)-lactic acid or D-(-)-lactic acid depending on the bacterial strain, which is critical for PLA polymer properties. Traditional food applications include yogurt, sauerkraut, and pickled vegetables, while the growing PLA market drives new capacity.

化学プロセス

Lactobacillus delbrueckii or L. rhamnosus is fermented on glucose at 40-45 degrees C with continuous neutralization using Ca(OH)₂ or NaOH to maintain pH 5.5-6.0 for 2-4 days. The broth is filtered, acidified to convert calcium lactate back to free lactic acid, and purified by activated carbon treatment, ion exchange, and vacuum distillation or molecular distillation.

C₆H₁₂O₆ →[Lactobacillus] 2CH₃CH(OH)COOH (homofermentative pathway, theoretical yield 100%)

原材料

  • Glucose or sucrose — Corn wet milling or sugar refining (Carbon source)
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii — Culture propagation (Fermenting organism)
  • Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) — Lime kiln (pH control agent)

最終製品

  • L-(+)-Lactic acid (C₃H₆O₃) — Food preservative, PLA monomer, pharmaceutical (Food-grade 80-88% concentration, >99% optical purity)
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Environmental Impact

Fermentative lactic acid production from renewable sugars has a lower carbon footprint than chemical synthesis from petroleum-derived acetaldehyde. Calcium sulfate (gypsum) waste from the traditional recovery process is a disposal challenge. Newer electrodialysis and membrane-based recovery methods eliminate gypsum waste entirely.

安全性の考慮事項

最新のイノベーション

Direct electrodialysis recovery of lactic acid from fermentation broth eliminates the need for lime and sulfuric acid, reducing waste by 80%.
Engineered yeast strains tolerant to low pH enable fermentation without continuous neutralization, simplifying downstream processing.

生産規模

1200000

トン/年

$3.0 billion

市場価値

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Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses 食品保存のための乳酸製造?
食品保存のための乳酸製造 is used in the food processing & preservation sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in 食品保存のための乳酸製造?
Lactobacillus delbrueckii or L. rhamnosus is fermented on glucose at 40-45 degrees C with continuous neutralization using Ca(OH)₂ or NaOH to maintain pH 5.5-6.0 for 2-4 days. The broth is filtered, acidified to convert calcium lactate back to free lactic acid, and purified by activated carbon treatm
What is the economic significance of 食品保存のための乳酸製造?
食品保存のための乳酸製造 has a market value of $3.0 billion and annual production of 1,200,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of 食品保存のための乳酸製造?
Fermentative lactic acid production from renewable sugars has a lower carbon footprint than chemical synthesis from petroleum-derived acetaldehyde. Calcium sulfate (gypsum) waste from the traditional recovery process is a disposal challenge. Newer electrodialysis and membrane-based recovery methods
What raw materials are used in 食品保存のための乳酸製造?
The main raw materials include: Glucose or sucrose, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).