Food and Fermentation Industries >

2026 , Vol. 52 >Issue 12: 408 - 416

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.045433

A review of membrane separation technology for separation and purification of lactic acid

  • MA Ruichuan ,
  • ZHANG Jingmin ,
  • FU Yingjie ,
  • WANG Ying ,
  • YU Chunjiang ,
  • WU Chuanfu ,
  • GAO Ming
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  • 1(School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)
    2(Jiaxing City Environmental Emergency Monitoring and Accident Investigation Center, Jiaxing 314000, China)
    3(Chengdu Environmental Investment Group Co.Ltd., Chengdu 610041, China)
    4(Chengdu Xingrong Renewable Energy Co.Ltd., Chengdu 610000, China)

Received date: 2025-12-19

  Revised date: 2026-01-22

  Online published: 2026-07-17

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Abstract

Lactic acid production via biorefining has been widely adopted across the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical engineering industries—as well as other sectors—owing to its environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and significant potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction.However, the inherent complexity of biorefining feedstocks leads to fermentation broths that contain various impurities—including residual microbial cells and soluble proteins—alongside relatively low lactic acid concentrations.Consequently, downstream separation and purification processes account for 40%-70% of the total production cost, representing a critical bottleneck hindering large-scale industrial implementation.Conventional separation techniques—such as chemical precipitation and solvent extraction—are plagued by high energy demand, substantial environmental pollution, and elevated operational costs.In contrast, membrane-based separation technologies have emerged as a highly promising alternative, offering key advantages including in-situ product recovery, absence of phase change, and markedly lower energy consumption.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the fundamental principles, key operational parameters, and recent advances in membrane fabrication for mainstream membrane processes—including ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and electrodialysis.Particular emphasis is placed on optimization strategies for integrated membrane process design, as well as synergistic hybrid configurations combining membrane separation with complementary unit operations.Finally, persistent technical challenges—most notably membrane fouling and high capital/operational expenditures—are critically analyzed.The paper advocates a strategic approach centered on intelligent integration of multiple membrane technologies and their rational coupling with non-membrane separation methods.Prospects for future development—including next-generation membrane materials, process intensification, and digital process control—are also outlined.

Key words： lactic acid; membrane separation; membrane fabrication; integrated process technologies

Cite this article

MA Ruichuan , ZHANG Jingmin , FU Yingjie , WANG Ying , YU Chunjiang , WU Chuanfu , GAO Ming . A review of membrane separation technology for separation and purification of lactic acid[J]. Food and Fermentation Industries, 2026 , 52(12) : 408 -416 . DOI: 10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.045433

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