Lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid) is an organic acid that plays a crucial role in various biochemical processes. It exists in two enantiomeric forms, L-(+)-lactic acid and D-(-)-lactic acid, and is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Additionally, lactic acid serves as a precursor for the production of biodegradable plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA).
