Lactic Acid in Food: Discovering Its Role in Everyday Food
Lactic acid has been well recognized largely as an organic acid which has a wide application in the food processing industry because of the conservation of food products as well as the acidic taste that will be added to the food products. Everyone is aware of its use in particular types of foods such as fermented ones, otherwise lactic acid in food is used in numerous food products. In this article, we go beyond the basics to consider what duty it serves in normal, common food items and what foods contain lactic acid.
What is Lactic Acid?
Also known as hydroxy propionic acid, lactic acid is an organically occurring acid that is typically used as a food additive, and ingredient lactic acid is made from starch sugar or sugar by fermentation with lactobacillus or Rhizopus oryzae. There are many uses for lactic acid, and in some cases, the amount added can define specific food traits.
Typically, Lactic acid is formed in two key variants: The two types of lactic acid that are produced are L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. These are its two isomeric forms which are present in a wide range of different types of food. But among all of them, L-lactic acid is more used in practice.
Key Traits of Lactic Acid
The unique properties of food-grade lactic acid are responsible for the unique character and flavor it adds to the different foods to which it is added. Here are some of the main traits of lactic acid which set it apart from other elements:
- Lactic acid in foods is very slightly acidic and comes in any food and is used to add slight sourness. When added, foods receive a particular sort of lactic acid flavor. Lactic acid also works as a strong buffer winning the capacity of maintaining the pH of foods by balancing the exceedingly high and low pH.
- When incorporated into foods, it functions in the same way as a preservative since it was found to possess the ability to bottleneck the progression and reproduction of microorganisms and pathogens.
- Lactic acid for food, in particular, is not as hostile as other acids are, for instance, acetic acid. This is regarded as being quite weak which is why it can be employed with a vast array of foods to prepare them without having to doubt the potency of its effect.
- Lactic acid is available in the form of a liquid which is incredibly easy to use in a wide array of food applications which makes it more popular in the food industry.
Lactic Acid Uses In Everyday Foods
Lactic acid is used in various products which people use daily in their lives Thus, in our lives, we use a lot of products in which lactic acid is used. Some of these foods are rich in lactic acid, you probably are aware of, and some you may have never heard of. It will involve a discussion of all the products that use lactic acid in any of their processes.
1. Dairy Products
Dairy products are among the most popular food products with lactic acid. In dairy industry, lactic acid is useful in the production of products such as yogurt and cheese among others for the taste of the product and also for the texture. The process by which the lactose (which is widely featured in milk) is converted into the lactic acid which gives the products a mild sour taste. In this case, it assists in reducing the pH levels of the milk to set the process of making the yogurt and cheese.
Furthermore, lactic Acid plays a crucial role in extending the shelf-life of dairy products by adding a lot more hours, days, or even months to the shelf life of these products, making the products fresh and goes a long way in reducing or better still eliminating the chances of spoilt dairy products. Thus it can be affirmed that the additive form of lactic acid, is critical in this particular industry in its functions.
2. Meat Products
Lactic acid is especially present in options such as cured meats. Such foods are ham, bacon, sausages, processed deli meats, and any other foods having ingredients made from the same meat. In these foods, lactic acid is fermented and produced during the curing process to enhance the taste and extend the shelf life of the meats.
One of the most familiar fermented foods that have lactic acid is sausages. By the addition of lactic acid, food manufacturers control the growth of other undesirable bacteria such as Listeria or salmonella and therefore, they remain safe for consumption. This sour element of the lactic acid then assists in the improvement of the salty taste of such foods thereby making them more Desirable. Besides, lactic acid is extensively applied to brines, and meat-based marinades, as it contributes to the quick tenderizing of the meats.
3. Bread and Noodle Products
Food products such as bread and several types of noodles also have lactic acid as responsible for their textures, tastes, and longevity. Lactic acid regulates the pH level in pasta products, influences the preservation of pasta products from proteases, and increases the pasta products’ cookability; Lactic acid is equally useful in preventing the growth of microorganisms.
4. Candy
Lactic acid is used in candy to act as a flavoring agent as well as to act as a softening agent. It gives a fairly sharp and slightly acidic taste, which contrasts with the sweet taste of gummy candies, fruit chews and sour candies. Also lactic acid helps in preservation of candies as it hinders the growth of molds and other microorganisms hence increasing the period that candies can take before going rancid. This is also considered a natural product and therefore ideal for many low-calorie candy formulations.
5. Health products
In health products, lactic acid has functions of keeping skin acidity, moisturizing, and making skin texture elastic. It is a quite popular ingredient of exfoliating creams, lotions, and anti-aging preparations which have to eliminate the keratinized layers and stimulate the new skin cell formation. Lactic acid also is used for supporting the good bacteria in the gut and is added to probiotics and gut health supplements.
6. Pickled products
Acidulent lactic acid is used in pickled products as it has preservative properties and it is also used in flavoring. This is generated during the fermentation process and apart from imparting the pickles with a slightly sour taste makes the product safe for consumption by reducing the chance of bacterial activities. Lactic acid is also used for enhancing the crisp texture of the pickled vegetables, and as such is a critical component of traditional and commercial pickling.
7. Condiments
Lactic acid is used in different food products such as salad dressing, sauce and mustard for flavoring purposes as well as to add a longer shelf life to the product. It gives a very slight sour taste to the dish which, in my opinion, perfectly combines with sugar and salt. Lactic acid is used in condiments to act as a preservative to avoid bacterial growth in the product hence providing consumers with a product that has not spoiled and is safe to be consumed.
8. Beverages
Lactic acid is used also in a lot of beverages as well as clear and popular drinks and alcoholic drinks alike. Though people comprehend its functions only regarding lactic acid in dairy and pickles, it occupies a critical position in the sphere of beverages as well. The most important flavours for lactic acid are fruit juices soft drinks and energy drinks and their respective key varieties. In these products, lactic acid acts as the active acidity regulator, and also as a taste-enhancing agent.
Although lactic acid is perceived to counter bitterness, it complements all the sugar that is incorporated in such products, making the tasting experience wonderful, with a tangy feel. Also, it aids in their preservation, meaning that there is the least wastage of such materials.
Kombucha is yet another popular drink that also employs lactic acid to deliver all the benefits it is associated with. Kombucha has turned out to be one of the most useful health-enhancing drinks which is very helpful in enhancing the health of the gut which is helped by lactic acid, and thus the product adds lactic acid for body to enhance its taste as well as its healthy effects for body.
Further reading: What Does Lactic Acid Do？
Conclusion
From these facts, it will be safe to conclude that lactic acid is good for the gut and therefore health in general. For the food industry, lactic acid contributes to the improvement of the nutritive value of a vast range of foods, enriches their taste, and increases their shelf life. We also recommend that you always buy lactic acid from the right suppliers such as Mondstar. We supply lactic acid of the best quality to meet your purchasing needs.
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