Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions

Abstract The increasing demand for lactic acid (LA), driven by its applications in biodegradable plastics, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, necessitates the development of sustainable production methods. Traditional processes often rely on food-based feedstock, aggravating food securi...

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Main Authors: Nurasyikin Abdul Rahman, Zainab Ngaini, Saba Farooq, Sabrina Chua Ai Ling, Puteri Nabilah Jefree Shahren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Bioresources and Bioprocessing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00923-3
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author Nurasyikin Abdul Rahman
Zainab Ngaini
Saba Farooq
Sabrina Chua Ai Ling
Puteri Nabilah Jefree Shahren
author_facet Nurasyikin Abdul Rahman
Zainab Ngaini
Saba Farooq
Sabrina Chua Ai Ling
Puteri Nabilah Jefree Shahren
author_sort Nurasyikin Abdul Rahman
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The increasing demand for lactic acid (LA), driven by its applications in biodegradable plastics, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, necessitates the development of sustainable production methods. Traditional processes often rely on food-based feedstock, aggravating food security concerns. This review addresses the critical gap in utilising agricultural waste as a non-food feedstock for LA production, thereby reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. Current techniques are thoroughly explored, including fed-batch, batch, and continuous fermentation procedures, as well as the utilisation of various microbial strains, including Lactobacillus species. Recent developments in genetic engineering and innovative fermentation techniques are discussed, alongside challenges such as substrate variability and contamination. By highlighting the potential of agricultural residues, such as sugarcane bagasse, rice husk and corn stover, this review provides a roadmap for future research and industrial applications to enhance sustainability and efficiency in LA production.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2197-4365
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher SpringerOpen
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series Bioresources and Bioprocessing
spelling doaj-art-6a58360fc9974656bbd66f32b8af58ec2025-08-20T03:42:23ZengSpringerOpenBioresources and Bioprocessing2197-43652025-07-0112111310.1186/s40643-025-00923-3Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directionsNurasyikin Abdul Rahman0Zainab Ngaini1Saba Farooq2Sabrina Chua Ai Ling3Puteri Nabilah Jefree Shahren4Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia SarawakFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia SarawakFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia SarawakFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia SarawakFaculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia SarawakAbstract The increasing demand for lactic acid (LA), driven by its applications in biodegradable plastics, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, necessitates the development of sustainable production methods. Traditional processes often rely on food-based feedstock, aggravating food security concerns. This review addresses the critical gap in utilising agricultural waste as a non-food feedstock for LA production, thereby reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. Current techniques are thoroughly explored, including fed-batch, batch, and continuous fermentation procedures, as well as the utilisation of various microbial strains, including Lactobacillus species. Recent developments in genetic engineering and innovative fermentation techniques are discussed, alongside challenges such as substrate variability and contamination. By highlighting the potential of agricultural residues, such as sugarcane bagasse, rice husk and corn stover, this review provides a roadmap for future research and industrial applications to enhance sustainability and efficiency in LA production.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00923-3BiodegradationFoodGreenLignocelluloseSynthesis
spellingShingle Nurasyikin Abdul Rahman
Zainab Ngaini
Saba Farooq
Sabrina Chua Ai Ling
Puteri Nabilah Jefree Shahren
Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions
Bioresources and Bioprocessing
Biodegradation
Food
Green
Lignocellulose
Synthesis
title Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions
title_full Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions
title_fullStr Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions
title_short Sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste: a review of current techniques, challenges and future directions
title_sort sustainable lactic acid production from agricultural waste a review of current techniques challenges and future directions
topic Biodegradation
Food
Green
Lignocellulose
Synthesis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00923-3
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