Definition and Usage Areas of Lactic acid

Lactic acid is a natural compound that occurs in every person’s body and can be found in muscles, blood and various organs of the body. This acid can be used synonymously with lactate. Lactate can be defined as the sodium and potassium salt of C3H6O3.

The chemical name of this compound, which is an organic hydroxy acid discovered by Wilhelm Scheele in 1780, is hydroxypropanoic acid. Since this substance was obtained commercially from sour milk in 1881, it is also called lactic acid. We can see that the lactose in milk is turned into C3H6O3 by bacteria called lactic yeast.

This compound, whose main source is called glycogen, is a by-product formed as a result of the breakdown of carbohydrate, which is called glycogen. In addition, when pyruvate is produced as a result of anaerobic glucose, it is seen that the muscle cell tries to add lactic acid to energy production aerobically. If the muscle cell is found to be incapable of using all the pyruvate produced, pyruvate is seen to be converted to lactate.

Lactic acid, which is formed in the human body, in its simplest sense, appears as an enzyme formed in the body during intense exercise. It is possible to see that with the accumulation of this enzyme, it causes fatigue and pain in the body. However, when we look at its scientific explanation, there is a more explanatory explanation. In this case, when starting the training, it is seen that the body’s glucose and carbohydrate stores have accumulated and are ready for use, while the muscles are not hardened, that is, they are not contracted while at rest.

C3H6O3, whose chemical name is 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, shows both alcohol and acid properties. The molecular weight of this compound is defined as 90.08g/ml. Its density is 1.2 g/cm3. The pH value of this compound is below 2 at 25 degrees. It is located in the carboxy group and forms alpha hydroxy acid together with the hydroxy group. In solution, it loses a proton from the acidic group and forms the lactate ion, which is easily soluble in water and ethanol and is hydroscopic.

Usage areas

• Synthetic C3H6O3 is used as flavoring and preservative in food businesses and carbonated beverages.
• Lactic acid is used to adjust acidity in dairy products. It is used to balance the acidity of milk with low acidity.
• A combination of lactic acid and acetic acid makes a good preservative in salads and salad dressings.
• Lactic acid is used in the pharmaceutical industry in the form of drops and syrup.
• Synthetic lactic acid, on the other hand, is generally used as a raw material in leather tanning, in dyeing of wool, plastic, solvent, ink, and lacquers, as well as in the food sector.
• The L formula of lactic acid takes longer to adjust the acidity of concrete than citric acid in the construction industry. Therefore, it is also used in the construction industry.