Extraction of lactic acid with colloidal liquid aphrons and comparison of their toxicities with solvents without surfactant on the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus

Colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs) are surfactant-stabilized solvent droplets which have recently been explored for predispersed solvent extraction (PDSE ). We have compared the equilibrium distribution of lactic acid with solven t alone and with CLAs. In spite of the short contact time in the PDSE proce ss with CLAs, there was little difference in equilibrium distribution with solvent alone. The toxicity of extractants and diluents on Lactobacillus rh amnosus was measured for in situ extraction. Long chain alcohols such as 1- octanol and 1-decanol were less toxic among diluents. CLAs reduced the toxi city of solvents on Lactobacillus rhamnosus.