Identification of lactate. Analytical methods of pharmacopoeias with DBH in respect to environmental and economical concern, Part 4.

The identification of lactate according to Ph. Eur. 1997 and DAB 2000 uses the oxidation of lactic acid to pyruvic acid by boiling with bromine water in sulphuric acid. Acetaldehyde arising by decarboxylation is detected according to Legal applying a time consuming and troublesome procedure. 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBH) as well as potassium bromate can replace elemental bromine. Lactic acid and all lactates of Ph. Eur. 1997 and DAB 2000 can be identified better and faster using lactate oxidase (LOD, test strip system Accusport). According to DAB 2000 the base of ethacridine lactate has to be separated. This is no longer necessary, if an enzymatic identification is applied.