Lactic acid reacts with Sodium Hydroxide to produce

C6H5COOH + NaOH  C6H5COONa + HOH

Given: The Normality of the NaOH (example 0.1N NaOH)

Prepare the Milk = Measure the required amount. Either mL or gram.

(1g milk ~ 0.97mL)
Add 3-5 drops of phenolphthalein

Titrate until phenolphthalein turns color.

Quick calculation if they want %Lactic Acid if using 0.1N NaOH

% acidity = ( ? mL NaOH) x (0.1N NaOH) x 9

(? g Milk)

Example; 3 mL of 0.1N NaOH and 18 g of Milk

% acidity = ( 3 mL NaOH) x (0.1N NaOH) x 9

(18 g Milk)

% acidity = 0.15%

A more difficult calculation to determine molarity (M) if that is what they want.

? mL NaOH x 1 L NaOH x 0.1 mol NaOH x 1 mol Lactic x 1000 mL x 1

1 1000 mL 1 L NaOH 1 mol NaOH 1L Milk ? mL Milk

4 mL NaOH x 1 L NaOH x 0.4 mol NaOH x 1 mol Lactic x 1000 mL x 1

1 1000 mL 1 L NaOH 1 mol NaOH 1 L Milk 2.5 mL Milk

Molarity = 6.4 M