Resin selection and single-step production and recovery of lactic acid from pretreated wood.

Four ion-exchange resins (Amberlite IRA 900, IRA 400, IRA 96, and IRA 67) were employed for lactic acid recovery from simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) media. The best resins (Amberlite IRA 900 and IRA 400) were assayed for capacity, regenerant consumption, percentage of lactic acid recovery, and product concentration. Almost quantitative lactic acid recoveries at constant capacities were achieved in four sequential loading/regeneration cycles. A strong-base resin (Amberlite IRA 400) was selected for intermittent lactic acid separation in a typical SSF process, in which pretreated wood was saccharified by cellulases in the presence of Lactobacillus delbrueckii. The dynamics of lactic acid generation and lactic acid recovery were established.