Dlactate

Dlactate, more commonly written as D-lactate, refers to the dextro enantiomer of lactate, the conjugate base of D-lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid). In chemistry and biology, D-lactate and L-lactate are mirror-image enantiomers; when both forms are present, the mixture is called DL-lactate or racemic lactate. The term D-lactate is used to distinguish the specific enantiomer in metabolic, clinical, or industrial contexts.

Chemically, lactic acid is a chiral 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. The D- and L- designations denote the configuration around the chiral carbon. At physiological pH, lactate exists predominantly as the lactate anion, and D-lactate refers to the same chemical formula with the D configuration at the stereocenter.

Biology and metabolism: D-lactate is produced by certain bacteria and by gut microbiota. In humans, the vast majority of lactate produced during glycolysis is L-lactate; D-lactate is typically present in smaller amounts. D-lactate is metabolized less efficiently by human tissues, and elevated levels can accumulate under specific conditions, contributing to D-lactic acidosis. This syndrome is most often associated with malabsorption or short bowel syndrome, where increased intestinal production of D-lactate can lead to metabolic acidosis and neurological symptoms. D-lactate can be measured in serum or urine for diagnostic purposes.

Applications: D-lactate serves as a chiral building block in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical development. In industry, racemic lactic acid and its derivatives are used in the production of polylactic acid polymers, where the D/L composition influences material properties.