Lactic acid
General Product Information
| Article | Lactic acid |
| Synonyms | E270, 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid, Milk acid |
| CAS No. | 50-21-5 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 201-196-2 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 29181100 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Lactic acid is an organic acid that occurs naturally in fermented products, such as yogurt and other dairy products. It is a colorless, odorless liquid with a strong sour taste. In industry, lactic acid is often produced through fermentation processes, in which sugar is converted into lactic acid by bacteria.
Characteristics
- Odor: Odorless.
- Hygroscopic: Yes.
- Corrosive: At high concentrations.
- Grade: Food.
- Taste: Strong sour taste.
- Viscosity: Low.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | C3H6O3 |
| Molar Weight | – |
| Melting Point | 16.6 °C (depending on concentration) |
| Boiling Point | 325 °C (at 1013 hPa) |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water, ethanol and ether. |
| Density | – |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | 1.5 – 2.5 (at 50% solution) |
| Color | Colorless or light yellow |
| Shape | Liquid |
Applications
Lactic acid is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Pharmaceutical Industry
It is used at the production of pharmaceutical products such as injectable solutions and as an ingredient in certain drugs.
2. Cosmetics
Lactic acid is used in products such as facial creams, exfoliating products and lotions because of its exfoliating and moisturizing properties.
3. Food Industry
Lactic acid, in the Shape of the food additive E270, is used as a preservative, pH regulator and flavoring agent. It is found in dairy products, sauces, canned foods and sports drinks.
4. Textile Industry
It is used for fabric processing and as a dye fixer.
5. Bioplastics
Lactic acid is the basis of polylactide (PLA), a bioplastic widely used in packaging, disposables and textiles.
Interessing Links
- CAS Common Chemistry – Lactic acid
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and food ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information about safety and application of food additives.
- PubChem – Lactic Acid of the National Library of Medicine by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- Wikipedia – Lactic acid