In order for the production of lactic acid to be feasible, cheap raw materials are necessary, because polymer producers and other
industrial users usually require large quantities of lactic acid at a relatively low cost. Raw materials for lactic acid production
should have the following characteristics: cheap, low levels of contaminants, rapid production rate, high yield, little or no by-product
formation, ability to be fermented with little or no pre-treatment and year-round availability.

Raw materials that have been used commercially include:

• Sucrose (from syrups, juices and molasses)

• Lactose (from whey)

• Maltose (produced by specific enzymatic starch conversion processes)

• Glucose (from starch conversion processes)

• Mannitol

There are also other cheap raw materials that is been
investigated which could also be used.

·         Molasses

·         Rye

·         Sweet sorghum

·         Wheat

·         Corn

·         Cassava

·         Potato

·         Rice

·         Barley

·         Cellulose

·         Corncob

·         Waste paper

·         Wood

·         Whey

molasses