Effect of pH on the production of lactic acid and secondary products in batch cultures of Lactobacillus casei

Batch fermentations of lactic acid were performed with Lactobacillus casei to investigate the effect of pH on cell growth and production of lactic acid and by-products. Maximum productivity of lactic acid increased with increasing pH from 5.0 to 6.5, and the extent of D-lactate production was different at each pH. Acetate and D-lactate concentrations increased even after the complete consumption of glucose in the medium. While a pH range of 6.0-6.5 was optimal for cell growth and lactic acid production, superior results were achieved at pH 6.0 when both maximum lactic acid productivity and minimum by-product formation were considered.