Ammonium Lactate

Absorption

In vitro study of percutaneous absorption of ammonium lactate lotion, 12% using human cadaver skin indicates that approximately 5.8% of the material was absorbed after 68 hours.

Toxicity

The oral administration of Lac-Hydrin to rats and mice showed this drug to be practically non-toxic (LD50 > 15 mL/kg).

Description

Ammonium lactate is a compound with formula NH₄(C₂H₄(OH)COO). It is the ammonium salt of lactic acid.
It has E number "E328" and is the active ingredient of the skin lotions Amlactin and Lac-Hydrin.

The Uses of Ammonium Lactate

When ammonium lactate is applied topically, it is found to thicken the viable epidermis while reducing the thickness of the stratum corneum layer. It is a neutralized version of lactic acid.

The Uses of Ammonium Lactate

Antipruritic (topical).

The Uses of Ammonium Lactate

Ammonium lactate solution has been used in the ammonium lactate fermentation broth for the concentration of organic acid salts by conventional electrodialysis (EDC).

Indications

For the treatment of dry, scaly skin (xerosis) and ichthyosis vulgaris and for temporary relief of itching associated with these conditions.

Background

Ammonium lactate is the ammonium salt of lactic acid.

brand name

Lac-Hydrin (Westwood-Squibb).

General Description

Ammonium lactate is an ammonium salt of lactic acid. It is generally used as a feedstock for ethyl lactate and as a component of moisturizers.

Industrial uses

Ammonium lactate, which is produced in a fermentation process, is thermally and catalytically cracked to produce lactic acid, which upon addition of an alcohol generates the ester. The ammonia and water byproducts are separated through a selective membrane and recycled. This process, which uses carbohydrate feedstocks, has made the production of lactate esters economically competitive. In turn, due to the excellent solvent properties of ethyl lactate, it has become widely available as a bio-sourced and biodegradable cleaning fluid.It has also found industrial applications in speciality coatings and inks. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), an agricultural processing company who have been commercializing the production of ethyl lactate, have recently patented isoamyl lactate as a component in an environmentally friendly solvent and household cleaner.

Pharmacokinetics

Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid. It is a normal constituent of tissues and blood. The alpha-hydroxy acids (and their salts) may act as humectants when applied to the skin. This property may influence hydration of the stratum corneum. In addition, lactic acid, when applied to the skin, may act to decrease corneocyte cohesion.

Metabolism

Not Available