Production of Lactic Acid from Sago Starch Using Enterococcus faecalis Strain Isolated from Silage

Abstract

Production of high-purity lactic acid was achieved through fermentation using Enterococcus faecalis (strain 2409), isolated from silage, as the microorganism for converting glucose derived from sago starch. Lactic acid is a valuable organic compound with numerous applications, including food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and the production of biodegradable plastics. The fermentation process was conducted under carefully controlled conditions in a fermenter, with optimal parameters of pH 6.8, 45 °C, and 200 rpm, resulting in a lactic acid concentration of 87 g/L and a purity of approximately 80%. These findings highlight the potential of E. faecalis to efficiently produce lactic acid and demonstrate the viability of utilizing renewable resources such as sago starch for sustainable bioprocessing. Additionally, activated carbon was used to purify the fermentation broth, effectively removing impurities, and enhancing the overall quality of the final product. This approach offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for the commercial production of lactic acid.