L(+)-Lactic Acid
General information
Lactic acid is an organic acid occurring naturally in the human body and in fermented foods. It is used in a wide range of food, beverages, personal care, healthcare, cleaners, feed & pet food and chemical products as a mild acidity regulator with flavour enhancing and antibacterial properties. The commercial production of lactic acid is typically done by fermentation. Because the L(+) form is preferred for its better metabolisation, Jungbunzlauer has chosen to produce pure L(+)-lactic acid by traditional fermentation of natural carbohydrates.
Jungbunzlauer L(+)-lactic acid is a colourless to yellowish, nearly odourless, syrupy liquid with a mild acid taste. It is commercially available as aqueous solutions of various concentrations. These solutions are stable under normal storage conditions.
Lactic acid is non-toxic to humans and the environment, but concentrated solutions of lactic acid can cause skin irritation and eye damage. They have thus to be labelled with a hazard pictogram and related statements. Lactic acid is readily biodegradable.
Specification
Jungbunzlauer L(+)-lactic acid food grade is supplied in accordance with the requirements of Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 and of the latest edition of the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). Jungbunzlauer also proposes L(+)-lactic acid in high quality personal care, pharmaceutical starting material grade, technical and biocidal grades. Our feed grades meet the requirements of Regulations (EC) No 1831/2003 and (EC) No 183/2005. Several grades and types of Jungbunzlauer L(+)-lactic acid are currently available:
Food grade solutions:
50 % and 50 % heat stable
80 % and 80 % heat stable
88 % and 88 % heat stable
90 % heat stable
Feed grade solutions:
80 % and 88% (clear/yellowish)
80 % (brown)
Personal care grade solutions:
90 % heat stable
Pharmaceutical starting material grade solutions:
90 % heat stable
Technical grade solutions:
80 % and 88 %
Biocidal grade solutions:
80 % heat stable
88 % heat stable
Jungbunzlauer L(+)-lactic acid is supplied in bulk, in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) with 1200 kg net weight (1100 kg net for the 50 % solutions), in drums with 250 kg net weight (240 kg net for the 50 % solutions) and in small drums with 25 kg net content (20 kg for the 50 % solutions). Feed grades are supplied in bulk and IBCs.
Properties
- Liquid
- Colourless to yellowish
- Nearly odourless
- Mild lingering acid taste
- Antibacterial
- Chemically, physically and microbiologically stable
- Non-toxic
- Irritating to eyes and skin in concentrated form
- Readily biodegradable
Applications
Industrial Applications
- Agrochemicals, Fertilisers
- Fine Chemicals
- Inks, Paints, Coatings
- Metal Surface Treatment
- Oil Drilling
- Plastics, Polymers
- Textile, Leather
- Fire protection
Beverages
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Carbonated Soft Drinks
- Instant Drinks, Syrups
- Juice Drinks
- RTD Tea and Coffee
- Sports and Energy Drinks
- Waters
- Fire protection
Food
- Baby Food, Infant Formula
- Bakery
- Cereals, Snacks
- Confectionery
- Dairy
- Dairy Alternatives
- Desserts, Ice Cream
- Flavours
- Fruit Preparations, Sweet Spreads
- Fruits, Vegetables
- Meat, Seafood
- Plant-based Products
- Ready Meals, Instant Food
- Sauces, Dressings, Seasonings
- Fire protection
Cleaners & Detergents
- Carcass Wash
- Dish Washing
- Industrial Cleaners
- Laundry Care
- Surface Care
- Fire protection
Healthcare
- Clinical Nutrition
- OTC, Food Supplements
- Fire protection
Personal Care
- Colour Cosmetics
- Deodorants
- Fragrances
- Hair Care
- Oral Care
- Skin Care
- Soap and Bath Products
- Fire protection
Feed & Pet Food
- Feed
- Pet Food
- Fire protection
Legal aspects
In Europe, lactic acid is listed as a generally permitted food additive (E270) and may be added to all foodstuffs, following the “quantum satis“ principle, as long as no special regulation restricts the use.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affirmed lactic acid as GRAS (generally recognised as safe) substance and permitted the use in food except infant food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice for use as antimicrobial agent, curing or pickling agent, flavor enhancer, flavoring agent or adjuvant, pH control agent, solvent or vehicle (CFR § 184.1061).
For biocidal uses, L(+)-lactic acid is approved in the EU in product type (PT) 1 (human hygiene), PT 2 (surface disinfection), PT 3 (veterinary hygiene) and PT 4 (food-contact surface disinfection) according to the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 (BPR). Further, lactic acid is evaluated for approval in PT6 (in-can preservation). Jungbunzlauer is an admitted supplier for all mentioned PTs (Art. 95 listing).
Jungbunzlauer L(+)-lactic acid has been registered according to REACH Regulation at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2012. The REACH registration number of Jungbunzlauer L(+)-lactic acid is 01-2119474164-39-0004.
