The role of lactic acid

Lactic acid is an important organic acid that is widely present in organisms and nature. Its functions cover many fields such as food, medicine, industry, and agriculture.

In the field of food, as a natural acidifier in terms of acidity regulator, it gives food a soft sour taste. It is often used in yogurt, pickles, beverages (such as vinegar drinks), and baked foods (such as bread and cakes), which can improve the flavor and enhance the taste level. In terms of preservatives and preservatives, it can reduce the pH value of the environment, inhibit the reproduction of microorganisms such as bacteria and molds, and extend the shelf life of food. It is often used in processed meat products (such as sausages, ham), pickles, and ready-to-eat foods. In the preservation of aquatic products and fruits and vegetables, it can be soaked or sprayed to delay oxidation and deterioration and maintain freshness.

In the field of medicine, it is used as a drug synthesis intermediate in terms of pharmaceutical raw materials and excipients, and is used to prepare antibiotics, antiviral drugs, etc.; it can also be used as a pH regulator for injections to ensure drug stability. In tablets and capsules, it is used as a binder or disintegrant to improve the molding and release properties of drugs. In clinical treatment applications, when used externally, lactic acid preparations can be used to treat skin keratinization diseases (such as ichthyosis and corns) and promote epidermal renewal by softening the stratum corneum. And oral lactate (such as sodium lactate) can be used to correct metabolic acidosis and regulate the acid-base balance in the body.

In the industrial field, the chemical and material industries are used to produce polylactic acid (PLA), which is a biodegradable polymer material widely used in degradable plastics (such as disposable tableware, packaging bags), medical sutures, drug sustained-release carriers and other fields. As an organic synthesis intermediate, it is used to prepare chemical products such as fragrances, coatings, and inks. In the textile and leather industry, it is used for dyeing and finishing of textiles, adjusting the pH value of the dye solution, and improving the adsorption rate and color fastness of the dye. In the leather tanning process, it is used as a softener to make the leather soft and elastic.

In other fields, such as biomedical research, it is used as a nutrient for cell culture to provide energy for cell growth; in biosensors, it can be used to detect lactic acid concentration and monitor tissue metabolic status (such as lactic acid accumulation during muscle fatigue).

The versatility of lactic acid makes it play an important role in many industries. With the development of biodegradable materials (such as polylactic acid), its application prospects in the field of environmental protection are also becoming increasingly broad. When using it, you need to pay attention to the concentration and safety requirements in different scenarios to ensure that it meets the relevant standards.