Lactic Acid, Microbially Produced

Glossary batch process A technique in which all nutrients for the microorganisms are added to the bioreactor only once and the products are separated in their entirety when the fermentation process is completed. bioreactor or fermenter The culture vessel or system used for growing microorganisms and producing microbial metabolic products such as lactic acid. continuous process A technique in which nutrients are fed to the bioreactor and products are removed continuously during the process. fed-batch or semicontinuous process A technique in which nutrients are fed to the bioreactor continuously and the products are removed intermittently, to maintain a fixed volume. heterofermentative Referring to microorganisms that produce lactic acid together with other organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carbon dioxide as products of carbohydrate metabolism. homofermentative Referring to microorganisms that produce lactic acid as the sole product of carbohydrate metabolism. immobilized cell bioreactor A technique in which microbial cells are entrapped in polymers or covalently bonded to, or adsorbed onto, inert materials in the bioreactor, which is operated in a continuous flow mode. lactic acid bacteria A diverse group of bacteria that produce lactic acid as the primary metabolic product from the fermentation of carbohydrates.