Lactic acid treatment; procedures, configurations and products.

A process for the production of lactic acid from a mixture containing free lactic acid and / or salt dissolved lactate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) incubating a culture of microorganisms producing tolerant lactate acid in a nutrient medium to an average incubation pH of no greater than 4, 8, wherein if the fermentation is carried out to a point where pH and / or lactic acid concentration inhibits further lactate production, the - average- incubation pH is determined by a mean pH values ​​measured at ten (10) or more equal time intervals over the time period necessary to produce 90% of the limiting lactate concentration; or if the fermentation is not carried out to a point where a limiting lactate concentration, the average- -pH incubation is determined as a mean pH values ​​measured at ten (10) or more equal intervals of is reached time during the course of fermentation, to produce an aqueous mixture comprising at least 40 g / l of lactate material comprising lactic acid, lactate salt, or a mixture thereof; and (b) separating the aqueous mixture tolerant lactate producing microorganisms acid; and (c) preferably, separating the lactic acid from the mixture to form a lactic acid containing stream.