Lactic acid

Lactic acid	Last updated: 15/12/2025
(Also known as: L-lactic acid; sarcolactic acid ; L(+)-lactic Acid )

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: Low; Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Low	Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A compound that acts as a plant growth regulator, biocide (disinfectant/preservative) and fungicide. It also has some insect repellency.

Example pests controlled

Growth; Vigour; Stress; Varroa destructor mite; Fusarium species; Rhizoctonia solani; Grey mould; Potato scab; Soft rot; Blackleg; Mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus)

Example applications

Apples; Corn; Vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans; Potatoes; Sugarcane; Honeybee colonies

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Not applicable

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Not applicable

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Not applicable

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Known to be also used in the following countries

USA

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Lactic acid has chiral centers existing as L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, and a racemic mixture (DL-lactic acid).

Chemical formula

C₃H₆O₃

Canonical SMILES

CC(C(=O)O)O

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C3H6O3/c1-2(4)3(5)6/h2,4H,1H3,(H,5,6)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
lactic acid	-

General status

Biopesticide type

Fungicide; Insecticide; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Biocide; Disinfectant; Biostimulant - improved abiotic stress resiliance; growth enhancement & improved nutrient use efficiency

Substance groups

Alpha-hydroxy acid; Biostimulant

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Inhibits the growth of microbial pathogens by creating an acidic environment and producing antimicrobial compounds. Attractant for mosquitoes

Substance source

Produced by living organisms (e.g. humans during exercise) as a product of the anaerobic phase of glucose metabolism (glycolysis) plant and animal cells use for energy. Also found in many foods, especially fermented ones like yogurt, cheese, and sauerkraut, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Uses

Crop protection

Target pests

Growth; Vigour; Stress; Varroa destructor mite; Fusarium species; Rhizoctonia solani; Grey mould; Potato scab; Soft rot; Blackleg; Mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus)

Target host

Apples; Corn; Vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans; Potatoes; Sugarcane; Honeybee colonies

Farming system suitability

Suitable for use in all farming systems where approved for use in that country

CAS RN

50-21-5

EC number

209-954-4

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

128929

PubChem CID

612

Molecular mass

90.08

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

2-hydroxypropanoic acid

IUPAC name

2-hydroxypropanoic acid

CAS name

propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (S)-

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Other status information

FEMA=2611; Approved in the EU as a biocide for hygiene and product preservation

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

A colourless to yellow odourless syrupy liquid.

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1780, first isolated in Sweden; 1988, registered USEPA as PGR; 2009, re-registered USEPA

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Cargill
Galactic
NatureWorks
Biological Preparations

Example products using this active

Purac
Purasolv
Masomint
Lactic acid 80%
NOsquito Stinger 2-in-1 Power Bait
Lurex

Formulation and application details

Typically supplied as a liquid concentrate for crop use and as bait in traps for mosquitoes

Commercial production

Commercial lactic acid is mainly produced through microbial fermentation of carbohydrates such as corn, sugarcane, or beet sugars, using lactic acid bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus species). In this process, sugars are converted into lactic acid under controlled conditions, followed by purification steps like filtration, precipitation, and crystallization to remove impurities. Although chemical synthesis from petrochemical precursors (like acetaldehyde) exists, fermentation is preferred because it uses renewable feedstocks, is more sustainable, and yields optically pure lactic acid.

Impact on climate of production and use

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

122

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

133

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

2.88 X 10^-01

Calculated

Log P

-0.54

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

70.7

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Rapidly broken down through microbial respiration into carbon dioxide and water, often via intermediate organic acids.

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

3543

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

>= 2250

Colinus virginianus

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 100.4

Apis mellifera

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

130

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 257.73

Oreochromis mossambicus

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 250

Daphnia magna

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

3543

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

> 2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 5.0

Rat 4 hr

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Low toxicity - normal metabolic product in humans

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Corrosive
If heated vapours may form explosive mixtures with air
Not compatible with strong oxidisers and strong alkalis

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H318

WHO Classification

UN Number

UN3265

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Substance is stable under normal ambient conditions

TRANSLATIONS

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Name

English

lactic acid

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Record last updated:	15/12/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242