Production of Lactic Acid from Cheese Whey by Batch Culture of Lactobacillus sp. RKY2

We investigated the fermentative production of lactic acid from cheese whey and corn steep liquor as cheap raw materials using Lactobacillus sp. RKY2 to reduce the manufacturing cost of lactic acid. Lactic acid yields were obtained at more than 0.98 g/g from medium containing whey lactose. Lactic aid productivities and yields obtained from whey lactose were slightly higher than those obtained from pure lactose. The final concentration of lactic acid increased with increase, in whey lactose concentration, whereas the lactic acid productivity decreased probably due to substrate inhibition. The fermentation efficiencies were improved by addition of more corn steep liquor to the medium.