Lactic acid fermentation

Lactic acid fermentation is a form of fermentation that occurs in animal cells in the
absence of oxygen. Under these conditions, Glycolysis occurs normally, producing 2 molecules
of ATP, 2 molecules of NADH and 2 molecules of pyruvate. However, the lack of O2 prevents
the NADH from being recycled to NAD+ (which is required for glycolysis) through the electron
transport chain. Instead, it transfers electrons to pyruvate:

pyruvate + NADH lactate + NAD+

Lactate then diffuses out of the cell and into the blood. Certain cells, such as cardiac muscle
cells, are highly permeable to lactate. Lactate is converted into pyruvate and metabolised
normally (ie: via the citric acid cycle). Since these cells are highly oxygenated, it is unlikely
that lactate would accumulate (as is the case in oxygen-starved muscle cells). This also allows
circulating glucose to be available to muscle cells.

Any excess lactate is taken up by the liver, converted to pyruvate and then to glucose. This,
along with the production of lactate from glucose in muscle cells constitutes the Cori cycle.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK), which catalyses an irreversible step in glycolysis, is inhibited

by a low pH and this prevents the formation of excess lactate and/or lactic acidosis (sudden
drop in blood pH).

Diagram of lactic acid fermentation. Lactic acid fermentation has two steps: glycolysis and
NADH regeneration.
During glycolysis, one glucose molecule is converted to two pyruvate molecules, producing
two net ATP and two NADH.
During NADH regeneration, the two NADH donate electrons and hydrogen atoms to the
two pyruvate molecules, producing two lactate molecules and regenerating NAD+.
Muscle cells also carry out lactic acid fermentation, though only when they have too little
oxygen for aerobic respiration to continuefor instance, when youve been exercising very
hard. It was once thought that the accumulation of lactate in muscles was responsible for
soreness caused by exercise, but recent research suggests this is probably not the case.
Lactic acid produced in muscle cells is transported through the bloodstream to the liver,
where its converted back to pyruvate and processed normally in the remaining reactions of
cellular respiration.

Purification Process

Lactic acid is produced industrially from bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates (e.g.,

sugar, starch) followed by separation processes such as precipitation, distillation, and reactive
extraction. However, these conventional separation processes are energy intensive. In this
study, we report an integrated membrane separation process consisting of ultrafiltration (UF)
and nanofiltration (NF) for lactic acid recovery from fermentation broth, combined with ion
exchange (IEX) and vacuum-assisted evaporation. Most organic and inorganic components in
lactic acid fermentation broth, including microbes, glucose, and inorganic salt ions were
successfully removed by UF and NF processes. Membrane fouling in the UF process became
severe due to the high concentration of microbes and organic compounds. The effects of
various UF membranes on the extent of membrane fouling were also studied to enhance
separation efficiency. The separation of lactic acid continued using NF membranes,
considering both size exclusion and Donnan exclusion effects. Finally, IEX and vacuum
evaporation (VE) processes were also used to eliminate residual salt ions and to increase lactic
acid purity. The hybrid membrane-separation process produced lactic acid with high purity
(>99.5%).
Adventages
1. End product of glycolysis are removed from the cell so glycolysis can continue

Disadventages
1. Lactate can be poisonous to cell
2. Pyruvate used to help remove H+ from the cell

a. Still lots of potential energy stored in pyruvate

b. Cant break down pyruvate to release energy
Production process for polylactic acid (PLA)
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most common bioplastic in use today. First, corn or other raw
materials are fermented to produce lactic acid, which is then polymerized to make polylactic
acid (PLA). Bioplastics are expected to make major contributions to environmental protection,
because they reduce CO2 and because they are biodegradable. The range of applications for
bioplastics is growing, from materials used in automobile interiors to packaging for foods and
cosmetics, to agricultural sheeting, to household appliances.

We have our own proprietary process for polymerizing lactic acid, and we provide licenses
for this production process.

Production process for polylactic acid (PLA)

There are two methods for manufacturing polylactic acid (PLA) from lactic acid: the first
method uses the cyclic lactic acid dimer called lactide as an intermediate stage; the second
method is direct polymerization of lactic acid. The method using the lactide intermediary yields
polylactic acid (PLA) with greater molecular weight.

Range of process response

Case introduction

Bird's-eye view of polylactic acid (PLA) manufacturing facilities

As of March 2010, we have orders on hand for two plants including overseas.
Together with our licenses, we provide a full range of EPC services including engineering,
design, delivery, procurement, construction and commissioning. Regarding the scope of work,
we take a flexible approach based on customers' needs.

Adventages of Polylactic Acid (PLA) or Corn Plastics

1. PLA is Derived From a Renewable Resource

One of the major problems with petroleum-based plastics is that they are derived from oil
which is only available in finite amounts throughout the world. Eventually, the oil will run out.
PLA, however, being derived from corn, is based on a resource that can be renewed yearly.

2. PLA Plastics Are Compostable

It is estimated that traditional plastics can take centuries to break down and may never break
down into natural elements. This is especially true when these products end up in landfills
where sunlight and air exposure are drastically curtailed. On the other hand, PLA can break
down into natural elements in less than a month given the right circumstances.

3. PLA Does Not Produce Toxic Fumes If Incinerated

For decades, weve been warned of the dangerous chemicals that can be released when
traditional plastics are incinerated. Being biologically based, PLA plastics do not produce these
toxic fumes if they end up being incinerated instead of finding their way to a commercial
composting facility.
Disadventages of Polylactic Acid (PLA) or Corn Plastics
1. PLA Production Depends on Large Fields of Crops

While the corn used to create PLA is a renewable resource, many people point out that the
fields use to grow these crops could be used to create foodstuffs for the worlds growing
population. They do have a point, but it is important to remember that the bioplastics industry
is still young. Long term plans in the industry include determining effective ways to create
PLA plastics from agricultural waste like stalks and stems which could result in bioplastics
made from products that are not fit for consumption.

2. PLA Plastics Are Only Compostable in a Commercial Composting Facility

Unfortunately, most PLA plastic will not break down into natural elements in your
backyard composting pile. Instead, these products need to be sent to a commercial composting
facility for processing. At this time, there are a limited number of such facilities in the United
States which means that it can be difficult to properly dispose of these products. However, as
the industry grows, we believe that the infrastructure for commercial composting will follow.

3. Improperly Disposed PLA Plastics Can Contaminate Recycling Processes

Whether or not commercial composting facilities are locally available, many PLA products
end up getting mixed in with traditionally recyclable plastics. Because they are derived from
very different elements, this can cause problems in the recycling process if the products are not
properly sorted before recycling begins.

Conclusion
Its not surprising that these pros and cons prove that PLA plastics are not a perfect solution.
But as long as we live in a society that embraces disposable plastic containers, we need to be
working toward finding solutions that are less harmful to the environment than traditional
plastics. To that end, we think that products made from PLA are a positive step toward a world
less dependent on oil and more focused on renewable solutions.