| Definition | |
| Chemical name | Lactic acid |
| 2-Hydroxypropionic acid |
| 1-Hydroxyethane-1-carboxylic acid |
| Einecs | 200-018-0 |
| Chemical formula | C3H6O3 |
| Molecular weight | 90,08 |
| Assay | Content not less than 76 % and not more than 84 % |
| Description | Colourless or yellowish, nearly odourless, syrupy liquid with an acid taste, consisting of a mixture of lactic acid (C3H6O3) and lactic acid lactate (C6H10O5). It is obtained by the lactic fermentation of sugars or is prepared synthetically |
| Note:
Lactic acid is hygroscopic and when concentrated by boiling, it condenses to form lactic acid lactate, which on dilution and heating hydrolyzes to lactic acid
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| Identification | |
A.Positive test for lactate | |
| Purity | |
| Sulphated ash | Not more than 0,1 % |
| Chloride | Not more than 0,2 % |
| Sulphate | Not more than 0,25 % |
| Iron | Not more than 10 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | Not more than 10 mg/kg |
| Note:
This specification refers to a 80 % aqueous solution; for weaker aqueous solutions, calculate values corresponding to their lactic acid content
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