Abstract: A process for producing pure lactic acid from a whey by-product rich in lactose and minerals, for example delactosed why permeate or concentrated whey permeate, is described. The method comprises upstream steps of neutralising the whey by-product with a basic metal hydroxide to form a precipitate comprising calcium and phosphate, and separating the precipitate from the whey by-product to provide a clarified whey by-product. The clarified whey by-product is fermentated by a bacterium capable of bioconversion of lactose to lactic acid to provide a fermentation broth containing a lactic acid salt. In the downstream steps, the fermentation broth is acidified to release lactic acid from the lactic acid salt, precipitate from the broth produced by acidification is removed, and the acidified fermentation broth is treated to recover pure lactic acid by removal of residual salts, and water, and optionally protein.

Abstract: A method for producing lactic acid comprises the steps of culturing in a culture medium comprising concentrated whey permeate or delactosed whey permeate as a substrate a bioconversion competent Bacillus bacterial strain capable of converting delactosed whey permeate into lactic acid for a period of time sufficient to allow the bacteria convert at least some of the lactose present in DLP or concentrated whey permeate into lactic acid, and then recovering the lactic acid from the culture medium.

Abstract: A process for producing pure lactic acid from a whey by-product rich in lactose and minerals, for example delactosed why permeate or concentrated whey permeate, is described. The method comprises upstream steps of neutralising the whey by-product with a basic metal hydroxide to form a precipitate comprising calcium and phosphate, and separating the precipitate from the whey by-product to provide a clarified whey by-product. The clarified whey by-product is fermentated by a bacterium capable of bioconversion of lactose to lactic acid to provide a fermentation broth containing a lactic acid salt. In the downstream steps, the fermentation broth is acidified to release lactic acid from the lactic acid salt, precipitate from the broth produced by acidification is removed, and the acidified fermentation broth is treated to recover pure lactic acid by removal of residual salts, and water, and optionally protein.

Abstract: A method for producing lactic acid comprises the steps of culturing in a culture medium comprising concentrated whey permeate or delactosed whey permeate as a substrate a bioconversion competent Bacillus bacterial strain capable of converting delactosed whey permeate into lactic acid for a period of time sufficient to allow the bacteria convert at least some of the lactose present in DLP or concentrated whey permeate into lactic acid, and then recovering the lactic acid from the culture medium.