Question: Which of the following is the first organic acid produced through fermentation?
A Acetic acid
B Citric acid
C Gluconic acid
D Lactic acid
Answer: Lactic acid
| Aspect | Description |
| Name of acid | Lactic acid |
| IUPAC Name | 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid |
| Chemical Formula | C3h6o3 |
| Molar Mass | 90.08 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless or slightly yellow liquid |
| Odor | Slightly sour |
| Taste | Sour |
| Produced By | It is produced by fermentation of sugars, such as glucose or starch, by lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus species) |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water |
| Acidity (pKa) | 3.86 (at 25°C) |
| Occurrence | Naturally found in sour milk, yogurt and muscle tissue during strenuous exercise |
| Biological Role | Intermediary product in the fermentation of glucose during anaerobic metabolism in muscles |
| Industrial Uses | · Food and beverage production · Pharmaceuticals · Cosmetics · As a pH regulator |
| Chemical nature | · It is a carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group · It can exist in both L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid forms |