lactate: Definition and Much More from Answers.com

intr.v., -tat·ed, -tat·ing, -tates.

To secrete or produce milk.

[Latin lactāre, lactāt-, from lac, lact-, milk. See lacto–.]

lac·tate² (lăk'tāt')
n.

A salt or an ester of lactic acid.

[LACT(O)– + –ATE².]

A salt or ester of lactic acid (CH₃CHOHCOOH). In lactates, the acidic hydrogen of the carboxyl group has been replaced by a metal or an organic radical. Lactates are optically active, with a chiral center at carbon 2. Commercial fermentation produces either the dextrorotatory (R) or the levorotatory (S) form, depending on the organism involved. See also Optical activity.

The R form of lactate occurs in blood and muscle as a product of glycolysis. Lack of sufficient oxygen during strenuous exercise causes enzymatic (lactate dehydrogenase) reduction of pyruvic acid to lactate, which causes tiredness, sore muscles, and even muscle cramps. During renewed oxygen supply (rest) the lactate is reoxidized to pyruvic acid and the fragments enter the Krebs (citric acid) cycle. The plasma membranes of muscle and liver are permeable to pyruvates and lactates, permitting the blood to transport them to the liver (Cori cycle). Lactates also increase during fasting and in diabetics.

Lactates are found in certain foods (sauerkraut), and may be used for flour conditioning and in food emulsification. Alkali-metal salts act as blood coagulants and are used in calcium therapy, while esters are used as plasticizers and as solvents for lacquers. See also Ester; Salt (chemistry).

---

A salt or ester of lactic acid in which a metal or organic radical has replaced hydrogen in the carboxyl group. Lactate is a dissociation product of lactic acid:

CH₃CH (OH)COOH ⇌ CH₃CH(OH)COO⁻ + H⁺

lactic acid ⇌ lactate ions + protons

Dissociation of lactic acid in the blood results in blood lactate. Levels of blood lactate vary, but are usually 1-2 mmol l⁻¹ and increase during anaerobic metabolism as lactic acid is produced. Although lactate concentration is used as a predictor of endurance (see lactate threshold), lactate is not a useless by-product of anaerobic metabolism, but it is an important metabolic fuel used by muscles, especially during exercise. See also lactate shuttle, lactic acid.

Dansk (Danish)
1.
v. intr. - amme, die

2.
n. - laktat, mælkesurt salt

Nederlands (Dutch)
lactaat (melkzuurzout), melk afscheiden

Français (French)
1.
v. intr. - produire du lait

2.
n. - lactate

Deutsch (German)
1.
v. - (Biol.) Milch produzieren, Milch absondern

2.
n. - (chem.) Salz od. Ester der Milchsäure, Lactat

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - γαλακτικό άλας
v. - εκκρίνω γάλα

Italiano (Italian)
lattato, secernere latte

Português (Portuguese)
n. - lactato (m) (Quím.)
v. - lactar

Русский (Russian)
выделять молоко, соль молочной кислоты

Español (Spanish)
1.
v. intr. - lactar

2.
n. - lactato

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - laktat
v. - att producera mjölk i sina bröst

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
1. 分泌乳汁, 授乳

2. 乳酸盐

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
1.
n. - 乳酸鹽

2.
v. intr. - 分泌乳汁, 授乳

한국어 (Korean)
1.
v. intr. - 젖을 분비하다, 수유하다

2.
n. - 락타아제(소화 효소)

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 乳汁を分泌する
n. - 乳酸塩

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) اللكتات, اللبنات, ملح الحامض اللبني (فعل) يفرز اللبن‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. intr. - ‮היניקה‬
n. - ‮מלח של חומצה חלבית‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.