L-(+)-Lactic acid

Synonyms

Lactic acid, L-; (+)-Lactic acid; (S)-(+)-Lactic acid; (S)-2-Hydroxypropanoic acid; (S)-2-Hydroxypropionic acid; (S)-2-Hydroxypropionsaeure; (S)-Lactic acid; (S)-Milchsaeure; Acidum sarcolacticum; Espiritin; Fleischmilchsaeure; L(+)-2-Hydroxypropionsaeure; L-(+)-alpha-Hydroxypropionic acid; L-Lactic acid; Paralactic acid; Paramilchsaeure; PH 90; Pleo sanvis; PURAC; Sarcolactic acid; Sarcolacticum acidum; Tisulac; Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (2S)-; Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (S)- (9CI); [ChemIDplus] (2S)-2-Hydroxypropanoic acid; L(+)-Lactic acid; Dextrorotatory lactic acid; d-Lactic acid; L-Milchsaeure; [Merck Index] S(+) Lactic Acid; SY-83; [ECHA REACH Registrations]

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Solid; [Merck Index] Hygroscopic solid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Occurs naturally in mammals--concentration increases in serum and muscle following exercise; [Merck Index] Used in the agricultural, chemical, leather processing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries; Used as an electroplating agent, food/feed additive, pH regulator, cleaning/washing agent, disinfectant, and tanning agent; [IUCLID] Used to flavor animal feeds; [ExPub: EFSA - FEEDAP] Used as a solvent and intermediate in chemical production, as a pH regulator in fabric finishing, and in paints, coatings, soaps, and cleaning products; [EPA ChAMP: Hazard Characterization] Used to make large scale and fine chemicals, pulp-paper-paper products, food products, and plastic products, in mining, health services, agriculture-forestry-fishing, and building and construction work; [ExPub: ECHA REACH Registrations] Permitted for use as an inert ingredient in non-food pesticide products; [EPA]

Comments

Corrosive to rabbit skin, mildly irritating to guinea pig skin, and not irritating to pig skin; Not sensitizing in a study of guinea pigs; A 13-week oral study of rats produced a NOAEL of 500 mg/kg/day (highest tested dose); Studies on reproductive and developmental toxicity not considered necessary because lactic acid is a product of human intermediary metabolism; [EPA ChAMP: Interim Hazard Characterization] An irritant that may cause serious eye injury; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Biomedical References

LC50 (rat) > 7,940 mg/m3/4hr

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Electroplating
• Farming (Feed Additives)
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Mining
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)