What is Lactate?
Lactate is a type of salt compound formed by the combination of lactate and metal ions or ammonium ions. lactate is an organic acid, and the hydrogen atoms on its carboxyl group can be replaced by metal ions (such as sodium, potassium, etc.) or ammonium ions to form lactate. Lactate is usually a white crystalline powder or granules, hygroscopic and easily soluble in water.
Different lactates may differ in properties such as melting point and boiling point, but generally have typical physical properties of salt compounds. Lactates have a certain stability, but they will undergo chemical reactions under certain conditions. For example, lactates can react with acids to form lactate, and react with bases to affect the existence form of lactate ions. They can also participate in various redox reactions. The chemical properties of lactates depend largely on the metal ions they are bound to and the surrounding chemical environment.
Production Process of Lactate
1. Fermentation Method
Raw material selection, various carbohydrates can be used as raw materials, such as glucose, sucrose, starch, etc. These raw materials are widely available and relatively low in cost. In addition, in order to ensure the growth and fermentation of microorganisms, it is necessary to add appropriate amounts of nitrogen sources, phosphorus sources and other trace elements.
| Microbial fermentation: Fermentation is carried out using microorganisms such as lactate bacteria. Under anaerobic or microaerobic conditions, lactate bacteria convert carbohydrates into lactate. Different strains of lactate bacteria have different substrate utilization and acid production capabilities, so the appropriate strain must be selected according to production needs. During the fermentation process, conditions such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen must be controlled to optimize microbial growth and lactate production. Generally, the fermentation temperature is maintained between 30°C and 40°C, and the pH is controlled at around 5.0 to 6.5. |
| Lactate extraction and purification: The fermentation broth obtained after fermentation contains lactate, unreacted raw materials, microbial cells and other impurities. First, the microbial cells and solid impurities are removed by filtration or centrifugation, and then the lactate is extracted and purified by various methods such as calcium salt method, esterification distillation, solvent extraction, membrane electrodialysis, etc. |
2. Chemical Synthesis Method
| Acetaldehyde cyanohydrin method: This method uses acetaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid as raw materials, and generates lactonitrile by addition reaction under alkaline conditions. lactate is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to generate lactate, and lactate reacts with the corresponding base or metal oxide to generate lactate. The advantages of this method are relatively simple reaction steps and high product purity. However, hydrocyanic acid is highly toxic, and strict requirements are placed on production equipment and operating safety measures. In addition, a large amount of cyanide-containing wastewater will be generated during the reaction, which poses a high risk of environmental pollution. |
| Acrylonitrile method: In this method, acrylonitrile reacts with water under the action of a catalyst to generate lactonitrile, which is then hydrolyzed to obtain lactate, and finally the lactate reacts with an alkali or a metal oxide to generate lactate. The raw material acrylonitrile is relatively easy to obtain and the reaction conditions are relatively mild, but the selection and recovery of the catalyst are key issues. In addition, this process will also produce a certain amount of wastewater and waste gas, which need to be effectively treated. |
3. Enzyme Synthesis Method
| Enzyme selection and immobilization: The first step is to select lactate dehydrogenase or other related enzymes with high activity and strong specificity. In order to improve the stability and reusability of the enzyme, the enzyme is usually immobilized on a specific carrier, such as agarose, sodium alginate or activated carbon. Immobilized enzymes can better resist the influence of the external environment and facilitate separation and recovery within the reaction system. |
| Reaction system construction: Add substrates (such as pyruvate or glucose), cofactors (such as NADH or NADPH) and immobilized enzymes to the reaction system, and control the temperature, pH, reaction time and other conditions to make the enzyme catalyze the conversion of substrates into lactate, which then reacts with the corresponding bases or metal ions to form lactate. Enzymatic synthesis conditions are mild, with high selectivity, few side reactions and high product purity. However, the cost of enzymes is high, and their activity and stability are greatly affected by reaction conditions, requiring precise control of the reaction process. |
Application of Lactate
Food Industry
- Acidity regulator
- Preservative
- Flavor enhancers
Pharmaceutical Industry
- Drug carrier
- Treatment of acidosis
- Calcium Supplement
Chemical Industry
- Plastic raw materials
- Surfactant
- Electroplating additives
Other Areas
- Agriculture
- Cosmetics
Current Industry State
1. Market size growth
In recent years, the global lactate market has shown a steady growth trend due to the growing demand in various application areas. For example, in the food and beverage industry, consumers have a growing demand for healthy and natural food additives. Lactate is recognized as a natural and safe additive, and the market demand continues to grow. According to market research data, the market size is expected to expand significantly from 2018 to 2024.
This growth reflects the broader trend of consumers seeking healthier options and the food industry responding to these preferences by incorporating natural additives such as lactates. As awareness of the benefits of lactates continues to rise, its application in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical industries is also expected to grow, further contributing to the overall market expansion.
2. Competition landscape of manufacturing companies
- International: The global lactate production industry is mainly concentrated in the United States, China, Thailand, Western Europe, Central and South America, Japan and other regions. Among the companies with a production capacity of more than 100,000 tons, Corbion, the Dutch company’s business involves food, algae raw materials, biochemistry, biomedicine and other fields, forming a diversified development model. The American company, NatureWorks focuses on the production and sales of lactate and polylactate (PLA), adopting an integrated development model of lactate and PLA.
- Domestic: The domestic market is dominated by two leading enterprises, Jindan Technology and Anhui Fengyuan, which together account for 27.80% of the global total production capacity. Jindan Technology occupies a dominant position in the domestic lactate industry, with an annual output of 183,000 tons of lactate and its derivatives, forming a vertically integrated circular industrial chain. In addition, there are enterprises with production capacity between 30,000 and 100,000 tons, such as Henan Xinghan, Guangji Pharmaceutical, Ningxia Qiyu, Jingliang Longjiang, and Yinhe Shares. These enterprises have established certain scale advantages, but their development models are relatively single.
Data Source
Securities Star: “Huazheng Securities: Gives Jindan Technology a Buy Rating”
China Report Hall: “2024-2029 China lactate Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Investment Feasibility Analysis Report”
Upstream and Downstream Industry Chain
Upstream:
The upstream industry mainly includes agricultural products such as corn and some chemical raw materials. The fermentation method of using corn as raw material to produce lactate is currently a common method in the production of lactate. Therefore, factors such as corn yield and price have a great impact on the production cost of lactate production enterprises. Fluctuations in the agricultural product market will directly affect the supply and cost of raw materials, thereby affecting the overall profitability of lactate production.
Downstream:
In addition to the food and pharmaceutical industries, lactates are also used in the chemical industry to produce biodegradable plastics such as polylactate (PLA). As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent and the demand for biodegradable materials continues to increase, the demand for lactates in downstream industries is changing. This shift is driven by the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmentally friendly products, leading to the expansion of lactate applications in various fields such as packaging, agriculture and cosmetics.
Overall, the dynamics of the upstream and downstream industries play a vital role in shaping the lactate market, influencing production costs, product demand, and the strategic direction of companies involved in the lactate supply chain.
Lactate Screening Process
Lactate screening process is a technology used to separate and purify lactate. Lactate is a salt formed by the combination of lactic acid and metal ions. The following are the general steps and principles of lactate screening process:
| 1. Raw material preparation – Choose raw materials: Choose raw materials containing lactate, such as fermentation broth or lactate solution. – Pretreatment: Filtration and sedimentation of raw materials to remove impurities and insoluble matter. |
| 2. Solution adjustment – pH Adjustment: Adjust the pH of the solution by adding acid or base to optimize the solubility of the lactate. – Concentration adjustment: Adjust the lactate concentration as needed for subsequent screening operations. |
| 3. Screening process – Membrane filtration: Use ultrafiltration or nanofiltration membranes to separate the solution and selectively separate lactate and other small molecules. – Centrifugation: Lactate is separated from other components by centrifuging it, taking advantage of the density differences of the different substances. – Crystallization: By lowering the temperature or evaporating the solvent, the lactate is crystallized and then collected. |
| 4. Purification and drying – Washing: Wash the crystals with a suitable solvent to remove impurities. – Drying: The washed lactate is dried under appropriate conditions to obtain the final product. |
| 5. Quality Inspection – Analytical testing: Conduct quality testing on the final product to ensure it meets relevant standards. |
Notes
During the operation, attention should be paid to the control of parameters such as temperature, pH and centrifugal speed to ensure the screening effect.
Equipment selection and maintenance also have a significant impact on process efficiency and product quality. Through the above steps, efficient separation and purification of lactate can be achieved.
Round Vibrating Screen in Lactate Screening Process
The application of vibrating screen in the lactate screening process is mainly to ensure the safety and purity of lactate. The following is a detailed description of the role and function of vibrating screen in lactate screening:
Function and Purpose
- Material classification: Vibrating screens classify lactate by vibration, which can effectively separate particles of different sizes. This is essential to ensure the uniformity and quality of lactate.
- Remove impurities: During the production and processing of lactate, some impurities or unqualified particles may be mixed in. Vibrating screens can effectively remove these impurities to ensure the safety and purity of the final product.
- Improve production efficiency: By using a vibrating screen, the lactate screening process can be accelerated, production efficiency can be improved, and the need for manual operation can be reduced.
Design and Features
- Vibration mechanism: Vibrating screens are usually driven by electric motors, and the force generated by vibration moves and grades the materials on the screen. This design can effectively improve screening efficiency.
- Screen material: The screen of the vibrating screen is usually made of wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials to adapt to the characteristics of lactate and ensure durability and reliability during the screening process.
- Adjustability: Many vibrating screens have adjustable vibration frequency and amplitude, which users can adjust according to different lactate characteristics and screening requirements to achieve the best screening effect. Application in lactate screening
Application in lactate screening
- Food safety: In the food industry, lactate is often used for preservation and seasoning. Screening with a vibrating screen can ensure the safety of lactate, remove possible contaminants, and meet food safety standards.
- Drug production: In the pharmaceutical industry, lactate, as a component of certain drugs, must undergo a rigorous screening process to ensure its purity and quality, and the vibrating screen plays an important role in this process.
- Quality Control: During the production of lactate, the vibrating screen, as part of quality control, can monitor and adjust the particle size distribution of the product in real time to ensure product consistency and reliability.
In conclusion, the vibrating screen plays a vital role in the screening process of lactate. It not only improves production efficiency, but also ensures the safety and purity of lactate, and is an indispensable equipment in the production and processing of lactate. Through effective screening, the vibrating screen helps companies meet the market demand for high-quality lactate.
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