Processing Biomass To Obtain Hydroxylcarboxylic Acids

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as hydroxy-carboxylic acids and hydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives. A method includes treating a reduced recalcitrance lignocellulosic or cellulosic material with one or more enzymes and/or organisms (such as lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Rhizopus, Enterococcus) to produce an alpha, beta, gamma and/or delta hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as lactic acid, glycolic acid); and converting the alpha, beta, gamma and/or delta hydroxy carboxylic acid to the product (such as esters, polymers, and copolymers).