Use Of Lactic Acid Research Articles

CeO2-CuO composites prepared via supercritical antisolvent precipitation for photocatalytic hydrogen production from lactic acid aqueous solution

The global increase in energy demand requires a continuous search for renewable and clean alternative resources to fossil fuels. Hydrogen is emerging as a promising energy carrier for the future; its production via photocatalysis, driven by sunlight, can directly convert solar energy into a usable or storable energy resource. However, water splitting requires sacrificial agents or electron donors/hole scavengers, such as short-chain organic acids. This research explores the use of lactic acid as a source for photocatalytic hydrogen production, offering valuable alternatives for wastewater management and renewable energy production. This study employed the innovative supercritical antisolvent (SAS) technique to micronize the precursors of both the active phase (CeO2) and co-catalyst (CuO), ensuring rapid and complete solvent removal and size reduction of photocatalyst precursors. The prepared samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This study has shown that the micronization process resulted in a notable improvement in CeO2 photocatalytic activity, attributed to the reduction of the dimensions of the powders. Hydrogen production was equal to 3989 μmol L−1 for the SAS-produced photocatalyst while using a commercial CeO2 sample resulted in H2 production of 2519 μmol L−1. The enhanced photoactivity of CeO2-CuO composites was found to be related to the presence of CuO. The optimal CuO amount was equal to 0.5 wt%, determining a hydrogen production of 9313 μmol L−1 after 4 h of UV irradiation time. A photocatalytic test carried out with deuterated water (D2O) instead of distilled H2O demonstrated that hydrogen was preferentially produced from water splitting reaction, whereas lactic acid acted as a sacrificial agent being oxidized from positive holes photogenerated in the valence band of CuO.

Oral Heterojunction Coupling Interventional Optical Fiber Mediates Synergistic Therapy for Orthotopic Rectal Cancer.

Catalytic therapy has shown great potential for clinical application. However, conventional catalytic therapies rely on reactive oxygen species (ROS) as "therapeutic drugs," which have limitations in effectively inhibiting tumor recurrence and metastasis. Here, a biomimetic heterojunction catalyst is developed that can actively target orthotopic rectal cancer after oral administration. The heterojunction catalyst is composed of quatrefoil star-shaped BiVO4 (BVO) and ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets through an in situ direct growth technique. Poly-norepinephrine and macrophage membrane coatings afford the biomimetic heterojunction catalyst (BVO/ZIS@M), which has high rectal cancer targeting and retention abilities. The coupled optical fiber intervention technology activates the multicenter coordination of five catalytic reactions of heterojunction catalysts, including two reduction reactions (O2→·O2 - and CO2→CO) and three oxidation reactions (H2O→·OH, GSH→GSSG, and LA→PA). These catalytic reactions not only induce immunogenic death in tumor cells through the efficient generation of ROS/CO and the consumption of GSH but also specifically lead to the use of lactic acid (LA) as an electron donor to improve catalytic activity and disrupt the LA-mediated immunosuppressive microenvironment, mediating synergistic catalysis and immunotherapy for orthotopic rectal cancer. Therefore, this optical fiber intervention triggered the combination of heterojunction catalytic therapy and immunotherapy, which exhibits prominent antitumor effects.

Possibilities of using lactobacilli metabolites for the treatment and prevention of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common reasons for pathological discharge from the genital tract in women of reproductive age, which, among other things, is characterized by a high recurrence rate after standard antibacterial treatment. To date, issues related to the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis have remained relevant and unresolved. This review article discusses the feasibility of using lactobacilli metabolites in the treatment and prevention of bacterial vaginosis, taking into account the data accumulated. The use of lactic acid as an additional second stage of bacterial vaginosis treatment can be considered as a way to improve the effectiveness of therapy and patient adherence to treatment, as well as to reduce the likelihood of recurrences.

Isolation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Eliminating Trimethylamine (TMA) for Application to Fishery Processing.

Fishy odor of fish flesh (meat) presents a severe problem for marine production. The main cause of fishy odor is trimethylamine (TMA), which increases during storage. It is produced from trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), an osmosis-regulating substance in fish cells that functions by a reduction reaction. Bacterial growth in fish meat increases TMA. Its odor reduces the commercial value of the meat. Technologies for its regulation and elimination are desired. This chapter presents a description of the use of lactic acid to eliminate TMA. The lactic acid is producible safely by bacteria during food processing using picric acid-toluene.A method of eliminating TMA was demonstrated using Lactobacillus plantarum H78. Furthermore, an assay method was explained for reducing TMA in fish meat by fermenting the H78 strain.

The impact of lactic acid and ascorbic acid mixture on quality parameters of wild boar meat

The objective of the current research was to evaluate effect of organic acids in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) meat and to investigate the ageing procedure in vacuum packaging. Wild boar meat is reported to contain a lower concentration of fat and cholesterol than the meat from the domestic pig. Therefore, recent increases in natural populations, as well as the possibility of farming wild boars have stimulated interest in this species as a meat producer. In this study, the effect of lactic acid and the ascorbic acid mixture was evaluated in wild boar meat on meat quality parameters like pH, water holding capacity, water activity, and microbiological evaluation. Certain parameters are considered as indicators of fresh meat shelf life. Lactic acid 2% and ascorbic acid 2% were mixed and sprayed on wild boar meat samples. The meat samples were immediately vacuum packaged after treatment and stored at 4 ± 1°C for 21 days of display. Quality parameters were measured on 1, 7, 14, and 21 days. The results indicate that the use of lactic acid and the ascorbic acid mixture could be an alternative to extend meat shelf life.

QUALITY OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor)-CALOPO (Calopogonium mucunoides) SILAGE WITH ADDITIONAL OF ORGANIC LACTIC ACID

Sorghum is a forage that has low protein content, whereas calopo is a protein source feed. If sorghum and calopo are fermented, it makes it difficult to lower the pH so that the nutrient content is easily damaged. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of fermented silage in combination between sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides) which were added with different levels of lactic acid. The ratio of the combination of sorghum and calopo as ingredients for silage is 40: 60%. Silage is made in 1 liter silo which is fermented for 21 days. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments (control and 4 levels of lactic acid addition, namely 1, 2, 3 and 4%) and 4 replications. Parameters observed included color, aroma, texture, pH, dry matter (BK), Fleigh value (NF), crude fiber (CF), and crude protein (CP). The results showed that the increase in the percentage of lactic acid use showed good physical quality (brown yellow color, citrus aroma and crumb texture) of silage. Chemically, the higher the level of addition of lactic acid to the sorghum-calopo silage, the BK content increased from 17.84% to 20.53%, decreased pH from 4.93 to 4.0 and increased NF from 43.33 to 86.0. The conclusion in this study was the use of lactic acid up to 4% in the silage of the combination of sorghum and calopo still showed good quality as indicated by NF 86 and pH 4.00

Green extraction of berberine from Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. using ultrasound-assisted aqueous solutions of organic acids, polyalcohols, and deep eutectic solvents

Berberine displays many potential bioactivities and is found in several medicinal herbs, such as Coscinium fenestratum. The extraction of berberine from biomass was carried out using volatile organic solvents, inorganic acid solutions, and more recently, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. In order to develop more efficient and sustainable extraction processes, this study used inexpensive green solvents, such as carboxylic acid and polyalcohol aqueous solutions, to extract berberine from Coscinium fenestratum. Initial screening was performed to compare the berberine extraction performance of various solvents, including aqueous solutions of carboxylic acids, polyalcohols, and their deep eutectic solvents. The obtained results showed that lactic acid was a potential solvent for extracting berberine. After optimizing the process using response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions were determined to be a lactic acid concentration of 60 % (w/w), a liquid-to-solid ratio of 17.25 mL/g, an extraction time of 20 min, and an extraction temperature of 66 °C. This resulted in an extraction efficiency of 38.23 ± 0.69 mg/g, corresponding to a berberine concentration of 2.22 ± 0.04 mg/mL. Additionally, the use of lactic acid as the extraction solvent yielded superior extraction efficiency and berberine purity compared to conventional volatile organic solvents, and inorganic acids, bases. The recovery of berberine was achieved using macroporous resins, allowing for the recovery of 99.52 ± 0.67 % of berberine from aqueous lactic acid solutions. The lactic acid solvent and the AB-8 resin were successfully recovered and reused for a minimum of three consecutive extraction cycles, maintaining their full effectiveness throughout the entire process. The recovered berberine from the lactic acid extract exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than the extracts obtained using ethanol, methanol, and acetone, as well as berberine recovered from the limewater and sulfuric acid extracts. Furthermore, the lactic acid solvent and its extracts demonstrated no cytotoxicity toward the human embryonic kidney cell line. The findings of this investigation establish a foundation for future studies utilizing eco-friendly solvents for alkaloid extraction from medicinal plants. This lays the groundwork for implementing a large-scale extraction process of natural active compounds in a safe and environmentally conscious manner.

Changes in Lactic Acid Concentrations in Culture Media and its Implications in the Inhibition of Fungal Development

In the following research, a novel antifungal culture method was discussed with the aim of developing bacterial culture media in which fungal growth is inhibited and bacterial growth is stimulated. This technique is based on the use of lactic acid as an antifungal agent, due to its capacity to neutralise the electrochemical gradient of fungal cell membranes, thus inhibiting their development. Based on this principle, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of lactic acid in the culture media was Investigated by changing its concentrations. After the preparation of the solutions, microbiological seeding was carried out in the different experimental groups. Data were collected using a quadrat sampling technique for subsequent statistical analysis using the T-test coefficient. As a result, the minimum inhibitory concentration of lactic acid was found to be 20%, where fungal growth was inhibited, and bacterial growth was stimulated.

The use of a lactic acid gel in the treatment and prevention of bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections as a challenge to antibacterial therapy. A literature review

Bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections are common conditions that lead to a decrease in the quality of life and significant economic costs. The review provides up-to-date information on the role of lactic acid in the microbiota of the vagina and urinary tract, as well as on the use of a lactic acid gel in these conditions. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections. Antibacterial therapy demonstrates statistically significant results in treating exacerbation, but not preventing further relapses, which is due to the possible high ability of bacteria to form biofilms. Lactic acid, unlike hydrogen peroxide, is involved in maintaining the vaginal microbiota and enhancing its protective function against sexually transmitted infections, and indirectly affects the urinary microbiota. This may allow the use of lactic acid for the treatment and prevention of relapses in both bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections.

Kinetics of biodegradation of strengthening polymer systems based on copolymers of lactic acid and biogenic activators

The production of bioplastics based on copolymers of maleic anhydride with the addition of lactic acid and furyl alcohol is described. The obtained copolymers are promising for use as reinforcing polymer systems of cellulose-containing materials used in packaging. It has been shown that the use of lactic acid and furyl alcohol makes it possible to obtain synthetic bioplastics that are rapidly degradable in natural conditions, which is favorable for environmental protection.

Blood Fat Profile of Sentul Chicken with Lactic Acid as an Acidifier in Rations Containing Probiotics

The study aimed to evaluate the use of lactic acid as an acidifier in rations containing probiotics on blood fat profile of sentul chicken. Sixty female Sentul chickens aged 6 months were reared for two months in a 20-unit battery cage and subjected to a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and five replicates, with 3 females for each unit. The treatments were R0 : Probiotic basal rations (BS); R1 : BS + 0.5% lactic acid; R2 : BS + 1.0% lactic acid; and R3 : BS + 1.5% lactic acid. Data were analyzed by Analisis of Variance (ANOVA) using an IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 22. The result showed that lactic acid as an acidifier in rations containing probiotics did not significantly (P>0,05) affected blood fat profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides) of Sentul chicken. The average cholesterol levels were 112.77±26.55 mg/dl; HDL 40.73±9.53 mg/dl; LDL 41.32±24.39 mg/dl; and triglycerides 153.57±46.38 mg/dl. The conclusion was that the use of up to 1.5% lactic acid as an acidifier in feed created similar results in cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
 Keywords: Sentul chicken, blood fat, acidifier

Blood Protein Profile of Sentul Chicken with Lactic Acid as an Acidifier in Rations Containing Probiotics

The study aimed to evaluate the use of lactic acid as an acidifier in ration containing probiotics on blood protein profile of Sentul chicken. Sixty female Sentul chickens aged 6 months were reared for two months in a 20-unit battery cage and subjected to a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and five replicates, with 3 females each for each unit. The treatments were R0 : Basal ration (BS); R1 : BS + 0.5% lactic acid; R2 : BS + 1.0% lactic acid; and R3 : BS + 1.5% lactic acid. Data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using an IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 22. The result showed that lactic acid as an acidifier in rations containing probiotics on blood protein profile of Sentul chicken did not significantly (P>0,05) affected the blood protein profile (uric acid, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) of Sentul chicken. The average of uric acid as 5.6±1.86 mg/dl; creatinine 1.07±0.40 mg/dl and blood urea nitrogen 4.31±1.08 mg/dl. The conclusion was that the use of up to 1.5% lactic acid as an acidifier in feed created similar results in uric acid, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.
 Keywords: Sentul chicken, blood protein, acidifier

Биопластики на основе сополимеров глицерина, фталевого ангидрида и молочной кислоты

The preparation of bioplastics based on copolymers of maleic anhydride and glycerol with additives of bioactive units of lactic acid is described. The obtained copolymers are promising for the use as reinforcing polymer systems of cellulose-containing materials applied in packaging. It has been shown that the use of lactic acid makes possible to obtain synthetic biopolymers which are rapidly degradable under natural conditions, that is favorable for the protection of the environment.

Fecal concentrations of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids in young children hospitalized in an infectious-diagnostic hospital with diarrhea

The aim of the study was to investigate the fecal levels of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in children with acute diarrhea and to identify their role in the development of infectious or non-infectious diseases. Materials and methods. The study included 42 children aged 6–24 months with an episode of acute bacterial, rotavirus, symptomatic or functional diarrhea hospitalized in the infectious biosafety unit of the Children’s Hospital. The control group comprised 18 children without symptoms of intestinal disease, matched to the main group for age, sex and stool consistency scored according to the Bristol Stool Scale of 4–6. All the children underwent comprehensive clinical, laboratory, virological examinations and stool cultures. Additionally, fecal calprotectin, reducing substances, lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids were studied. Results. It was found that the lactic acid levels were low in healthy children and often approached the trace concentrations. In children with diarrhea, lactic acid was detected in all fecal samples, and the highest its level was in children with functional (non-infectious) diarrhea. Opposite results were obtained in the study of SCFA. A deficit of SCFA was revealed in patients with diarrhea, but least of all in functional one, in comparison with the control group. The role of microbiome damage and intestinal wall hypoxia was suggested based on the results obtained. Conclusions. The use of lactic acid and SCFA as coprological tests can be helpful in the differential diagnosis of infectious or non-infectious causes of diarrhea in children aged 6–24 months.

Возможности применения молочной кислоты в акушерско-гинекологической практике

nflammatory diseases and dysbiosis provoked by opportunistic microbes currently rank first among lower reproductive tract infections in women. Lactobacilli are predominant in the vaginal microecosystem that is considered the first line of defense against infectious agents. Changes in hormonal profile, the pattern of intimate hygiene and sex life, and other factors impair the vaginal microecosystem. Diseases resulting from the activation of aerobic and anaerobic opportunistic microbes are particularly harmful during pregnancy, since they cause serious reproductive disorders and significantly increase the risks of perinatal complications. Frequent recurrences due to growing antibiotic resistance and the lack of potential antimicrobial treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy force to search for alternative therapeutic tools with good efficacy and safety. Topical agents containing lactic acid decrease vaginal pH and provide unfavorable conditions for the activity of opportunistic microbes, thereby maintaining the protective functions of Lactobacilli. Lactic acid is a natural chemical for this locus. As a result, agents containing this compound are virtually lacking side effects. They can be used along with antibiotics or as monotherapy. KEYWORDS: bacterial vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis, lactic acid, opportunistic microbes, vaginal microbiota, Lactobacilli, dysbiosis, pregnancy, normal flora. FOR CITATION: Savicheva A.M., Shadrova P.A. Potential use of lactic acid in obstetrics and gynecology. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2022;5(2):138–145 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2022-5-2-138-145.

Does the use of lactic acid as an antibiotic substitute in broiler diets affect growth, carcass traits, blood indices and intestinal microbiota?

The objective of the current study was to determine the impact of lactic acid (LAC) as an antibiotic alternative in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, blood indices and intestinal microbial load. A total of 300 broiler chicks one day old (Ross 208) were allotted to five experimental groups in a complete randomized design experiment. Each group was subdivided into six replicates, each of ten unsexed chicks. The treatments were as follows: NC: negative control (basal diet); PC: positive control (basal diet + 0.5 g Colistin® antibiotic/kg diet); LAC2, LAC4, and LAC6: basal diet + 2, 4, and 6 cm3 lactic acid/kg diet, respectively. Results showed no significant effects of dietary treatments (antibiotic or lactic acid) on growth performance traits (body weight, BW; daily body weight gain, DBWG; feed intake, FI and feed conversion ratio, FCR) and carcass characteristics except for Thigh %. All blood biochemical traits were affected (p > 0.01) by dietary treatments. The highest values of blood total protein and albumin were found in birds of LAC2 group. Adding graded doses of LAC to broiler diets inhibited the activity of liver enzymes and reduced the concentration of blood urea. The positive effect of LAC supplementation excelled that of antibiotics regarding the antioxidant status parameters. The lowest pathogenic bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella) were recorded by LAC4 and LAC6 groups. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation of lactic acid did not significantly affect most growth performance traits. But its use could have beneficial impacts on blood parameters, oxidative status and intestinal microbial counts. Based on our results, the highest level (6 cm3 LAC/kg diet) is the recommended level for the best results.

Alginate-based antimicrobial coating reduces pathogens on alfalfa seeds and sprouts

Foodborne illness associated with the consumption of contaminated sprouts has been a significant food safety risk. While seed disinfection with chemical sanitizers has been used as an intervention approach, its efficacy to reduce bacterial load has not been always satisfactory. In this study, a newly developed alginate-based, antimicrobial seed coating treatment was evaluated for its efficacy to reduce foodborne pathogens from alfalfa seeds and sprouts. Alfalfa seeds were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, air-dried, and thereafter subjected to different treatments. The treated seeds were analyzed for bacterial cell populations over 28 days of storage. Meanwhile, treated seeds after one day of storage were sprouted for three days and the populations of pathogens on sprouts were determined. The results showed that the alginate coating in the presence of lactic acid (alginate coating/LA) reduced both pathogens to an undetectable level one day after the treatment. With sprouts, alginate coating/LA resulted in significantly lower (P < 0.05) populations of Listeria and Salmonella than chlorine or lactic acid treatment. While the germination rate of seeds was reduced due to the use of lactic acid, the impact of alginate coating on germination was not significant. In general, this study indicated the effect of alginate coating on reducing the bacterial load from alfalfa seeds and sprouts, and further study is needed to select antimicrobial compounds and coating materials to reduce the adverse impact on germination rate.

Influence of Horse Age, Marinating Substances, and Frozen Storage on Horse Meat Quality.

Simple SummaryThe age of horses can influence several properties of the obtained raw material. As the age of horses increases, the meat retains less water, and more fat (p < 0.05) and minerals. In general, horse meat from older animals exhibits undesirable stringiness and hardness, due to a large proportion of connective tissue (collagen). Currently, many methods are applied to improve the tenderness of meat. Of these, the most popular is marinating the meat with various substances, which enhances the functional and sensory properties of the meat. Freezing is a widely accepted method for extending the shelf life of meat. Both the technique used for freezing and further storage at negative temperatures have an impact on some of the properties of meat. Most importantly, the pH value, color, and water absorption of meat tend to change with freezing. In addition, the dry matter content and tenderness of meat increase. This study aimed to analyze the impact of horse age, marinating substances, and frozen storage on the quality of horse meat. As horses age, the values of meat cutting force increase (p < 0.05). For example, the cutting force increases by 4.57 N/cm2 during the first period of freezer storage, and by 3.28 N/cm2 after 3 months of freezer storage (p < 0.05).The present study analyzed the influence of horse age, substances used for marinating, and frozen storage on the quality of horse meat. It was conducted on the samples of the longest thoracic muscle, obtained from 12 carcasses of horses (aged 4–7 and 8–12 years). Among the analyzed samples, a higher fat content (p < 0.05) was found in the meat obtained from the carcasses of older horses. The pH value of the meat samples was influenced by the treatment applied (p < 0.05). Of the substances used for marinating, malic acid caused a decrease in the pH of the meat obtained from young horses (p < 0.05). A similar effect was observed with the addition of phosphates to malic acid-marinated meat. On the other hand, the use of phosphates for marinating resulted in an increase in the pH of the meat obtained from older horses (p < 0.05). The substances used for marinating the horse meat did not significantly affect the reduction in cutting force values. Furthermore, the values of shear force, hardness, stiffness, gumminess, and chewiness of the meat increased with horse age (p < 0.05). An influence on the color parameters a* and b* of the meat was found for the interaction between age, storage period, and the type of treatment (p < 0.05). The use of lactic acid and malic acid for marinating the meat of young horses caused a decrease in the proportion of red color (4.67 and 3.43) and an increase in the proportion of yellow color (3.81 and 1.71), especially after 3 months of freezer storage. All the substances used for marinating (except for phosphates) were associated with higher (p < 0.05) thermal and forced drips of meat from the carcasses of both young and older horses during each storage period, in comparison to the control. The interaction between age and the type of treatment had an influence on the tenderness and juiciness of the horse meat (p < 0.05). In sensory evaluation, it was noted that the interaction between age and the treatment procedure influenced the tenderness and juiciness of the meat samples (p < 0.05). There is still a need for further research to increase knowledge regarding how to improve the quality of horse meat, and ultimately increase the demand from consumers and meat processing plants.

Cobalt recovery from spent Li-ion batteries using lactic acid as dissolution agent

Abstract The effective recovery of cobalt from spent cathode materials is a critical issue and becomes a necessary assignment for the waste treatment of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in concern with waste to wealth. The dissolution process encompasses an organic acid leaching followed by recovery of pure Co oxalate. The use of lactic acid effectively improves the leaching of spent LiCoO2 materials with ascorbic acid. The leaching efficiencies of 99% for Li and 98% for Co were achieved under the optimal condition of 0.5 mol/L lactic acid and 0.02 mol/L ascorbic acid, solid/liquid ratio of 2 g/L, leaching time of 360 min and temperature of 90 °C. Based on the kinetic analysis, the enhancement leaching process is mainly on the concentration of dissolution reagent. Compared to other organic acids used previously, lactic acid showed better dissolution behavior.

Study of lanthanum-didymium separation by solvent extraction from a liquor conditioned with lactic acid

Rare earth elements (REE) have increased in importance in the world due to the diverse applications in high-tech industries. The fact that Brazil has the world’s second largest REE reserves makes it a potential producer of these elements. However, for that to occur, it is necessary to have knowledge about the production technologies of rare earths, mainly the technologies used in the refining stages, in which China predominates. Generally, the leached solution contains a mixture of REE and the main challenge is to improve selectivity during their separation and purification. For this reason, techniques to improve the efficiency of the separation of these elements have been widely studied in recent years. In the present study, we seek to define efficient routes for the separation of lanthanum (La) from didymium (Pr and Nd) by the solvent extraction technique (SX), using the organophosphorus extractant 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (P507) from a liquor conditioned with lactic acid. Isotherms were constructed using the McCabe-Thiele method to estimate the number of theoretical stages and the aqueous/organic ratio (A/O) necessary to achieve efficient separation during the process. In continuous solvent extraction experiments, REE recovery percentages and purity of didymium and lanthanum above 90% were obtained. Didymium with 99.9% purity was obtained in a circuit with nine extraction stages (extraction A/O ratio of 4:1) and seven scrubbing stages (scrubbing A/O ratio of 2:1). The results presented here show that the use of lactic acid can be a promising alternative to boost the efficiency of the solvent extraction process for the separation of these light rare earth elements.