BIOMANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LACTIC ACID

The CSIR has established a bioconversion platform that focuses on alternative pathways for chemical production. The platform is geared towards local production and replacing imports of bio-based platform chemicals, including lactic acid. This shift will have a direct impact on the bioeconomy. The current bioprocess enables the bioconversion of industrial feedstocks or by-products, such as sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice, to produce lactic acid by an indigenous microorganism. The technology has evolved from the proof-of-concept stage to achieve a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6. This optimised bioprocess, conducted at a 30 L scale, demonstrates a conversion rate of over 85% for the sugar feedstock into the final product, with titres exceeding 100g/L during the upstream process. Additionally, multiple downstream processing methods have been developed and optimised, resulting in a purified product ranging from 75% to 92%, making it highly suitable for diverse applications across the industrial, food and cosmetic sectors.