| abstract |
Lactic acid can be produced at a high optical purity which could not be attained in the prior art. It has been found that when lactic acid and glycerol coexist, the racemization of lactic acid proceeds, which brings about lowering in the optical purity of lactic acid. Reducing the glycerol content of lactic acid before thermal concentration makes it possible to keep the optical purity of lactic acid after the concentration at a high level. |