PURPOSE: To obtain the title composition which contains a lactic acid derivative capable of controlling the kinds of liquid crystal phases developed in a liquid crystalline state and a temperature range by using a specified lactic acid derivative as a component.

CONSTITUTION: The title composition contains at least one lactic acid derivative, such as 4'-octyl-4-α-heptyloxypropanoyloxyazobenzene, represented by the formula (wherein R represents a 4 to 20C straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon group and R" represents a residue selected from azobenzene, azoxybenzene, biphenyl, terphenyl, phenylcyclohexane, benzoic acid, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridine, stilbene, tolane, chalcone, bicyclohexane and cinnamic acid derivatives.