Nagarajan DOktarina NChen P.-TChen C.-YLee D.-JChang J.-S.DUU-JONG LEE2022-03-222022-03-22202218732976https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85122546209&doi=10.1016%2fj.biortech.2021.126166&partnerID=40&md5=d565d5e6e019e259205a753f83f91f84https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/598176Lactic acid (LA) is an essential commodity chemical, with bio-based LA ruling the market share. Macroalgae are a desirable feedstock for LA fermentation due to their high carbohydrate and low lignin content. Ulva sp., Gracilaria sp., and Sargassum cristaefolium were evaluated as a feedstock for LA fermentation. Mild acid-thermal hydrolysis (sulfuric acid concentrations?<?5%) resulted in superior reducing sugar recovery. Gracilaria sp. attained maximum reducing sugar recovery (0.39?g/g biomass) and lactate yield (0.94?g/g). LA fermentation of fucose-rich hydrolysate of Sargassum cristaefolium is demonstrated for the first time, with 0.81?g/g LA yield and 0.36?g/g reducing sugars. Ulva sp. attained 0.21?g/g reducing sugars and 0.85?g/g LA yield. The efficiency of macroalgae for lactate bioconversion was in the order: red macroalgae?>?green macroalgae?>?brown macroalgae. L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum could efficaciously utilize seaweed sugars for LA production. Macroalgae can potentially replace lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock in LA fermentation. Copyright ? 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.FucoseGracilaria sp.Lactic acidLactobacillus rhamnosusSargassum cristaefoliumUlva sp.lactic acidbiomassfermentationhydrolysisLactobacillusseaweedWeissellaBiomassFermentationHydrolysisLactic AcidSeaweedjournal article10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126166346784522-s2.0-85122546209