Abstract: Lactic acid is a valuable organic acid widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical industries, which is also the major end product of carbohydrate fermentation by homofermentative lactic acid bacteria. This paper summarizes the current status of studies on the species distribution of the microbial genus, and the biosynthesis pathway and metabolic regulation of lactic acid. Future prospects in this area are also discussed.

Key words: lactic acid bacteria; L-lactic acid; D-lactic acid; lactate dehydrogenase

摘要： 乳酸作为一种重要的生物基平台化合物,是众多手性物质的合成前体,广泛应用于农业、食品、医药、化工等领域.本文从乳酸合成的种属分布、代谢途径及代谢调控等方面,综述乳酸菌合成L-乳酸和/或D-乳酸的研究现状,并展望其发展前景.

关键词: 乳酸菌；L-乳酸；D-乳酸；乳酸脱氢酶