Abstract: The development in production technology for D-lactic acid with highly optical purity was largely promoted by its application as monomer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) high-performance materials. The application，optical purity analysis and the production technology for D-lactic acid are reviewed. Special attention was focused on the strain breeding and fermentation process. Genetic engineering showed strong competition in developing efficient strain. The progress in highly efficient strain would further promote the production of D-lactic acid with highly optical purity，high yield，short fermentation time and wide range of substrates.