Comprehensive review of substrate selection process conditions risk and industrial feasibility for sustainable lactic acid production

One important framework chemical is lactic acid (2-hydroxypropionic acid) for food, medicine, and bioplastics. To meet the increasing demand for lactic acid, its procedures must be optimized for higher yields, improved efficiency, and sustainable development. Traditional fermentative production using refined sugars has sustainability challenges. Substrates such as agricultural outputs like maize/corn and seaweed-based sugars are currently attracting attention for producing more industrial LA than other lignocellulosic-based sugars for their sustainability. The current article evaluates essential substrate selection criteria, cost-effectiveness, various carbon substrate-based experimental trail studies, yield, productivity, and environmental effects such as pH, temperature, specific nutrient requirements, and adaptability that influence lactic acid synthesis. By investigating the impact of these variables on microbial activity and fermentation efficiency, we anticipate providing critical insights that can improve the industrial application of lactic acid production, facilitating the shift to greener options in a variety of sectors and increasing the economic feasibility. Further risk assessment study reveals that producing LA using sustainable resources from agricultural, agro-industrial, and lignocellulosic waste offers a more environmentally and technically viable alternative to traditional petrochemical synthesis. This approach significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes a circular economy, and lowers the cost of raw materials, but in order to ensure commercial viability, a number of important hazards and bottlenecks must be solved.