Molecular distillation technology has common applications in the industry. Lactic acid, also known as α-hydroxypropionic acid, can be divided into L-lactic acid (levorotatory), D-lactic acid (dextrorotatory), and racemic lactic acid according to the difference in spin. Lactic acid is a kind of multi-purpose organic acid, that can be widely used in food, medicine, the chemical industry, printing and dyeing, and other fields. The most important and widespread industrial application is as a monomer for synthesizing polylactic acid (PLA). With good biodegradability and biocompatibility, PLA is not only a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics in today's increasingly scarce petroleum resources, but is also considered by the industry as one of the most promising new medical materials. Therefore, the production of optically pure L-lactic acid is of great significance.
Lactic acid is a weak organic acid produced by the metabolism of carbohydrates. Its molecular formula is C3H6O2 or CH3COOH. it occurs naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods. Molecular distillation is the process of separating a mixture of gases or liquids by evaporating and condensing the vapors at a constant temperature and pressure. This method can prepare pure lactic acid from mixtures containing other compounds. The distillate is collected and condensed into a liquid that can be stored and used for a variety of purposes, including the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products.
Lactic acid can be produced by microbial fermentation, chemical synthesis, and enzyme catalysis. As the main production method in large-scale production, microbial fermentation can produce lactic acid from the hydrolysate of cellulose, starch, and other renewable resources as raw materials, and optically pure L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid or mixtures of the two can be obtained through the use of different strains of bacteria, which has a low production cost, a high degree of safety, and a low level of environmental pollution. Bacillus coagulans is a heat-resistant microorganism that can produce optically pure L-lactic acid by fermentation, and it can realize open fermentation at high temperatures (45-60°C), which greatly reduces the possibility of contamination with stray bacteria during the fermentation process and ensures the high optical purity of the final product. In addition, Bacillus coagulans have low nutritional requirements and can be economically produced in large-scale fermentation.
The current large-scale L-lactic acid fermentation production process has a high residual sugar index in the fermentation broth at the end of the fermentation, which is about 0.5%, and the higher residual sugar will lead to a decrease in yield, an increase in energy consumption, and a decrease in the physical and chemical indexes of the product during extraction. Therefore, the development of an efficient, low-cost, environmentally friendly process for the preparation of L-lactic acid is particularly urgent. The molecular distillation method of L-lactic acid-containing concentrated solution provides a new idea for producing high-quality L-lactic acid. The concentrated solution containing L-lactic acid was first dehydrated by a falling film evaporator, and then distilled and dehydrated by a molecular distillation device to produce L-lactic acid with a purity of more than 95% and a product yield of more than 90%.
Advantages of molecular distillation
- High purity: molecular distillation is a highly efficient separation technology that can effectively separate lactic acid from other components in the mixed solution. By controlling the distillation conditions, high-purity L-lactic acid can be obtained to meet the strict standards of purity requirements of various industries.
- Highly controllable: the temperature and pressure during the molecular distillation process can be precisely controlled as needed. This controllability makes molecular distillation applicable to a variety of different raw materials and process requirements, and can flexibly respond to the needs of different scales and types of production.
- Energy saving and environmental protection: Compared with traditional separation techniques such as extraction and crystallization, molecular distillation has lower energy consumption and environmental impact. It adopts a closed system for operation, which reduces the emission of harmful gases, and at the same time, it can recycle the heat energy generated in the evaporation process and improve energy utilization efficiency.
- High production efficiency: Since molecular distillation is a continuously operated separation process, high production efficiency can be realized. It has a high processing capacity and a short processing time, which can greatly improve production efficiency and reduce production costs.
Application of molecular distillation
- Biopharmaceuticals: In the field of biopharmaceuticals, L-lactic acid is an important intermediate and raw material. Through molecular distillation purification, high-purity L-lactic acid can be obtained, which can be used for the preparation of various drugs and biological products, such as lactate drugs, biodegradable materials, and so on.
- Food industry: L-lactic acid is widely used in the food industry as a food acidifier, preservative, and food additive. Molecular distillation purification can provide high-quality L-lactic acid to ensure the quality and safety of food products.
- Cosmetics: L-lactic acid-containing cosmetics play an important role in skincare and personal care products. Through molecular distillation purification, pure L-lactic acid can be obtained for use in cosmetic formulations to enhance product stability and efficacy and to meet consumer demand for high-quality cosmetics.
- Medical devices: In the field of medical devices, L-lactic acid is widely used in the preparation of biodegradable materials. Through molecular distillation purification, high-purity L-lactic acid can be obtained for the preparation of biodegradable sutures, stent repair materials, etc., which have better biocompatibility and degradability.
Molecular distillation technology plays an important role in the production of lactic acid, and TOPTION is a company with rich experience in molecular distillation technology, its uniquely designed molecular distillation equipment can realize the efficient extraction and purification of lactic acid.TOPTION is a one-stop solution provider specializing in the development, production, and manufacturing of distillation equipment. Our main products include molecular distillation, scraped (thin) film evaporators, stainless steel reactors, supercritical extraction, temperature control equipment, and drying equipment. For a long time, we have been providing a variety of laboratory-grade and industrial-grade equipment for the biopharmaceutical and chemical industries, covering a wide range of applications such as synthesis, extraction, separation, purification, drying, etc., and providing corresponding technical support. With strong technical capabilities and a well-established quality management system, we are qualified to provide customized services according to customers' needs.TOPTION's molecular distillation technology provides reliable and efficient solutions for lactic acid producers to stand out from the competition in the market. For more information, please contact us at info@toptionlab.com.
why choose us?
Choosing TOPTION means choosing professional, reliable, and proven molecular distillation solutions. Our experience, quality products, and excellent service make us the preferred partner for molecular distillation technology. Toption is committed to customizing the best solutions for our customers to ensure that their lactic acid production meets the highest quality standards. Our team of specialists is always at the customer's side, rewarding their trust with the best possible technology and service. By choosing TOPTION, you choose reliability and excellence along with the success and sustainability of your production.
one-stop solution
professional team
high quality
