The present invention relates to L-lactic acid producing bacterial strains, including Lactobacilli such as NRRL B-30568 (ADM B64), NRRL B-30569 (ADM DEC2-2B), NRRL B-30570 (ADM RP1A-4E), NRRL B-30571 (ADM RP2-1C), NRRL B-30572 (ADM RP3-1E), NRRL, B-30573 (ADM RP4A-2C), NRRL B-30574 (ADM LC49.25), NRRL B-30575 (ADM LC54.62) and mutations thereof. The present invention also relates to processes of producing L-lactic acid by culturing these strains. The present invention also relates to a method of making a bacterial strain that is capable of producing an increased yield or optical purity of L-lactic acid relative to these strains.