An organic compound that is white in colour and is a water soluble solid, is known as lactic acid. Classified as an alpha-hydroxy acid, this lactate in the format of its conjugate base plays important roles in a variety of biochemical processes.

Being a chiral, it consists of two optical isomers, making it hygroscopic in nature. In various industries, fermentation of lactic acid is performed specifically by lactic acid bacteria. This helps in converting carbohydrates such as galactose, glucose, sucrose into lactic acid. Also, this lactic acid bacterium is responsible for tooth decay of individuals.

How this acid is produced?

Normally during power exercises, such as sprinting or heavy exercises, glucose is broken down and further oxidised to pyruvate, from where lactate is produced. It also helps in regeneration of NAD+. Production of this occurs in red blood cells, as part of metabolism. After the exercise session, this acid dissociates into hydrogen ion and lactate. The best part of this acid is that after a certain point of time, this acid slows a person down, given that it helps in prevention of poisoning of human’s internal environment.

With help of Human Lactic Acid Elisa Kit reports have been found that demand for lactic acid has grown in food, beverages, biodegradable polymers, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals.