AN INTEGRATED BIOCONVERSION PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF L-LACTIC ACID FROM STARCHY POTATO FEEDSTOCKS

The potential market for lactic acid as the feedstock for biodegradabl e polymers, oxygenated chemicals, and specialty chemicals is significa nt. L-lactic acid is often the desired enantiomer for such application s. However, stereospecific lactobacilli do not metabolize starch effic iently. In this work, Argonne researchers have developed a process to convert starchy feedstocks into L-lactic acid. The processing steps in clude starch recovery, continuous liquefaction, and simultaneous sacch arification and fermentation. Over 100 g/L of lactic acid was produced in less than 48 h. The optical purity of the product was greater than 95%. This process has potential economical advantages over the conven tional process.