Advancing Sustainable Lactic Acid Production: A Mini Review of Biomass Substrates, Fermentation Techniques, and Industrial Applications

English

Authors

  • Ainil Hawa Jasni Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Azlin Suhaida Azmi Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Noor Illi Mohamad Puad
  • Fathilah Ali
  • Yusilawati Ahmad Nor

Keywords:

lactic acid; Rhizopus; fungal fermentation; lignocellulosic biomass; sustainable biotechnology; morphological control

Abstract

Lactic acid (LA) has garnered global recognition for its versatile industrial applications, especially as a precursor to polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer. This review comprehensively explores sustainable LA production using Rhizopus sp., with emphasis on the utilization of lignocellulosic agricultural residues as low-cost carbon sources. Conventional substrates such as glucose offer high yields but are economically and environmentally unsustainable. Instead, agro-wastes like empty fruit bunches, cocoa pod husks, cassava peels, coconut husks, and banana peels are rich in cellulose and hemicellulose, making them promising feedstocks. However, their complex structures necessitate pretreatment methods, including ethylenediamine (EDA) delignification, to enhance fermentability. The morphology of Rhizopus—pellet versus filamentous form—further influences LA yields, with pelletized forms offering higher productivity. Morphological control through fermentation parameters and neutralizing agents (e.g., CaCO₃) has shown significant effects on LA synthesis. This review emphasizes the need for integrated approaches combining biomass pretreatment, optimized fermentation conditions, and morphology control to improve LA yields. Ultimately, advancing sustainable fungal LA production supports waste valorization, circular economy goals, and green technology development in agriculture and industry.

 

Author Biographies

Azlin Suhaida Azmi, Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dr. Azlin Suhaida Azmi, a graduate of Widener University, Pennsylvania, USA, began her career as a chemist at First Malaysia Coating Sdn. Bhd. in March 1999. Later that year, in September, she joined Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) as a trainee lecturer. In 2001, she pursued an MSc in Process Integration at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). Upon returning to UTP in early 2002, she was appointed as a lecturer and served until October 2006. In November 2006, she moved to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as a lecturer. She then furthered her studies at the University of Malaya (UM) in December 2007, earning a Ph.D. in Bioprocess Chemical Engineering in 2012. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, Kulliyyah of Engineering.

Noor Illi Mohamad Puad

Noor Illi Mohamad Puad graduated with B. Eng (Biochemical-Biotechnology) (Honours) from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2007. She was then appointed as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Biotechnology Engineering, in the same year. Later in 2011, she obtained her Ph.D in Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science from the University of Manchester, UK.
Her research interests are mainly in Plant Cell Culture Technology, Flux Balance Analysis, Kinetic Modelling and Simulation, Plant Secondary Metabolite and Natural Products, Bioprocess and Renewable Energy. She has taught various courses such as Cell and Tissue Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Separation Processes for Biological Products, Separation Processes I and Biopharmaceutical Engineering as well as the coordinator for Biotechnology Engineering Laboratory 2 (Thermodynamics), Seminar and Final Year Project 1.
She is the coordinator for Plant Biotechnology Laboratory and also a member of the Welfare Committee and Curriculum Review Committee in the Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, IIUM. She has been assigned with several secretarial tasks in the departmental as well as the university level. Presently, she is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

Fathilah Ali

Fathilah binti Ali is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Gombak 50728, Kuala Lumpur. She obtained her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Technology (KAIST) in 2013. Her research interest is in the area of Polymer Blend and Composites, Polymer Nanocomposites, Synthesis of polymers, block copolymers and polyurethane, Synthesis of Nanoparticles using natural sources, Polymers in Sensors, Polymers for packaging materials, Functional Polymers for lithography, Polymerization of biopolymer from the monomers produced from fermentation process, and Separation and Purification Techniques. She has nearly two years’ experience in teaching on Process Plant and Design, Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Seminar for undergraduates and Fluid Mechanics. Dr Fathilah also serves as a reviewer for polymer related journals. She published 11 papers in National and International conferences, 6 papers in SCOPUS and ISI journals and 2 book chapters. She was secretary for Nano Research Group and currently the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs (Jan 2015 – present).

Volume 15 Journal Cover

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Jasni, A. H., Azmi, A. S., Mohamad Puad, N. I. ., Ali, F., & Ahmad Nor, Y. (2025). Advancing Sustainable Lactic Acid Production: A Mini Review of Biomass Substrates, Fermentation Techniques, and Industrial Applications : English. PERINTIS EJournal, 15(1), 40–64. Retrieved from https://perintis.org.my/ejournalperintis/index.php/PeJ/article/view/188

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025): PERINTIS eJournal

Section

Articles