A method of synthesizing anhydrous lactic acid is provided by reacting a compound of formula (Ia): with an acid compound of formula H.sub.nX in a first solvent to produce a reaction mixture comprising a compound of formula (Ib) and a lactic acid compound of formula (I) in solution with the first solvent and/or water. n is an integer other than 0, x is 0, or an integer other than 0, M is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and X is the conjugate base of the acid compound of formula H.sub.nX. The resulting reaction mixture is filtered to produce a filtrate containing lactic acid in solution. The filtrate is crystalized from a second solvent to produce anhydrous lactic acid.

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Core-shell particles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The core is formed of or contains one or more hydrophobic materials or more hydrophobic materials. The shell is formed of or contains hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG). The HPG coating can be modified to adjust the properties of the particles. Unmodified HPG coatings impart stealth properties to the particles which resist non-specific protein absorption and increase circulation in the blood. The hydroxyl groups on the HPG coating can be chemically modified to form functional groups that react with functional groups and adhere the particles to tissue, cells, or extracellular materials, such as proteins.

Core-shell particles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The core is formed of or contains one or more hydrophobic materials or more hydrophobic materials. The shell is formed of or contains hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG). The HPG coating can be modified to adjust the properties of the particles. Unmodified HPG coatings impart stealth properties to the particles which resist non-specific protein absorption and increase circulation in the blood. The hydroxyl groups on the HPG coating can be chemically modified to form functional groups that react with functional groups and adhere the particles to tissue, cells, or extracellular materials, such as proteins.

Core-shell particles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The core is formed of or contains one or more hydrophobic materials or more hydrophobic materials. The shell is formed of or contains hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG). The HPG coating can be modified to adjust the properties of the particles. Unmodified HPG coatings impart stealth properties to the particles which resist non-specific protein absorption and increase circulation in the blood. The hydroxyl groups on the HPG coating can be chemically modified to form functional groups that react with functional groups and adhere the particles to tissue, cells, or extracellular materials, such as proteins.

Core-shell particles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The core is formed of or contains one or more hydrophobic materials or more hydrophobic materials. The shell is formed of or contains hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG). The HPG coating can be modified to adjust the properties of the particles. Unmodified HPG coatings impart stealth properties to the particles which resist non-specific protein absorption and increase circulation in the blood. The hydroxyl groups on the HPG coating can be chemically modified to form functional groups that react with functional groups and adhere the particles to tissue, cells, or extracellular materials, such as proteins.

Provided is a method for purifying organic acids, including: a first extraction which includes separating an aqueous solution of organic acids into a first organic layer and a first aqueous solution layer by adding a solvent containing an amine and an alcohol; removing the alcohol from the separated first organic layer; and a second extraction which includes separating the first organic layer from which the alcohol has been removed into a second organic layer and a second aqueous solution layer by adding water.

Provided is a method for purifying organic acids, including: a first extraction which includes separating an aqueous solution of organic acids into a first organic layer and a first aqueous solution layer by adding a solvent containing an amine and an alcohol; removing the alcohol from the separated first organic layer; and a second extraction which includes separating the first organic layer from which the alcohol has been removed into a second organic layer and a second aqueous solution layer by adding water.

The disclosure is directed to a method and a system for recovering at least one organic product from fermentation broth. The disclosure relates to the use of liquid-liquid extraction and/or distillation to recover at least one organic product from a fermentation broth. In an embodiment, the recovery of the product is completed in a manner that minimizes stress on the microbial biomass, such that it remains viable, at least in part, and may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, with minimal water extraction which results in increased efficiency in the fermentation process.

The application discloses a method for obtaining polylactic acid (PLA) from cheese whey, which comprises, inter alia, steps of deproteinisation and inoculation, fermentation, separation, polymerisation and drying. The claimed method includes the use of microorganisms such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Streptococcus thermophilus. In addition, the separation step includes an adsorption process in a tower packed with activated cationic zeolite, which exchanges H.sup.+ for Ca.sup.+, and the solvent n-pentane is used in said separation step to extract lactic acid, with recovery of 90% of the lactic acid obtained by fermentation.

The application discloses a method for obtaining polylactic acid (PLA) from cheese whey, which comprises, inter alia, steps of deproteinisation and inoculation, fermentation, separation, polymerisation and drying. The claimed method includes the use of microorganisms such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Streptococcus thermophilus. In addition, the separation step includes an adsorption process in a tower packed with activated cationic zeolite, which exchanges H.sup.+ for Ca.sup.+, and the solvent n-pentane is used in said separation step to extract lactic acid, with recovery of 90% of the lactic acid obtained by fermentation.