A Brief Introduction to Lactose
Molecular Formula:C12H22O11
Molecular Weight:342.3
CAS No.:63-42-3
Appearance:White or off-white crystalline granules or powder
Regular commercial package: 25kg/drum
What is Lactose?
- Lactose is a disaccharide that occurs naturally in the milk of humans, cows, and sheep, and can also be extracted from whey, a byproduct of cheese and casein production.
- Lactose appears as white or off-white crystalline granules or powder, is odorless, and has a slightly sweet taste, with a sweetness approximately one-fifth that of sucrose.
- Lactose is mainly broken down into glucose and galactose in the body. It is not only a major energy source for infants and young mammals, but it also enhances the absorption efficiency of substances such as calcium and magnesium.
Highassay’s Lactose
As a Lactose supplier from China, Highassay offers a variety of Lactose raw materials with different particle sizes, crystal forms, flow properties, and solubility. Crystalline Lactose, spray-dried Lactose, anhydrous Lactose, fine powder Lactose, spherical Lactose, heat-treated Lactose, amorphous Lactose, and co-processed composite Lactose are available to meet your diverse needs, from pharmaceutical tableting and capsule filling to high-end food manufacturing. Highassay’s Lactose monohydrate: This is a combination of one Lactose molecule and one water molecule, with the chemical formula C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁·H₂O. Because this form is very stable at room temperature, the white crystalline powder you buy on the market is almost always Lactose monohydrate, which is an important form of Lactose.
Highassay will continuously provide you with consistently high-quality Lactose raw materials. We look forward to cooperating with you!
Benefits of Lactose
- Provides energy: Glucose is the main substance that provides energy to the human body, and Lactose is broken down into glucose and galactose in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Improves gut health: It has functions similar to prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting harmful bacteria, thus maintaining gut health.
- Promotes calcium absorption: Dairy products are the best dietary source of calcium, and Lactose, as a calcium absorption-promoting factor, can effectively improve the bioavailability of calcium.
- Promotes brain development: The galactose obtained from the breakdown of Lactose can help promote brain and nerve development in infants and young children.
- Low glycemic index: Lactose is broken down relatively slowly in the human body, and its effect on blood sugar is relatively mild. Furthermore, the proteins and fats in dairy products further slow down the rise in blood sugar.
Lactose Intolerance
- For individuals with lactose intolerance, it is not recommended to consume dairy products or other foods containing lactose. Plant-based milk alternatives can be used instead.
- Lactose needs to be broken down with the help of lactase. If there is a lack of lactase, lactose enters the large intestine undigested, leading to symptoms of lactose intolerance.
- Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, rumbling in the intestines, and increased flatulence.
- When your body doesn’t produce enough lactase, you can address this by supplementing with lactase or reducing your lactose intake.
Lactose Packaging and Storage
Based on different needs, Highassay provides customized packaging while ensuring moisture resistance and protection against contamination.
- For laboratories, small-scale food processing, or samples: generally uses small-sized bag packaging.
- For food and pharmaceutical companies: generally uses medium-sized bag or drum packaging.
- For large-scale production in dairy factories: generally uses large-sized bulk bag packaging.
Storage of Lactose:
- Store in a cool, dry place.
- After opening, seal the package tightly for storage.
Classification of Lactose
Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose and Food Grade Lactose
- Due to its stable chemical properties and lack of odor, lactose is often used as a filler in tablets and capsules, or to protect active ingredients in lyophilized preparations.
- The form of lactose varies depending on the preparation. For example: α-lactose monohydrate, anhydrous α-lactose, spray-dried lactose, amorphous lactose.
- Highassay products are manufactured entirely in GMP-compliant facilities, and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) is provided. Packaging typically involves aluminum foil bags (nitrogen-filled), sealed in HDPE drums, and secured on pallets with stretch film.
- Compared to pharmaceutical grade lactose, food grade lactose has relatively lower quality requirements, but it must still meet national food additive standards and be produced in a GMP-compliant factory.
- It can be used as a sweetener or leavening agent in baked goods, or as a stabilizer in ice cream and confectionery.
- Packaging typically involves a PE inner bag inside a multi-layer kraft paper bag, placed in a cardboard drum, labeled, and transported on pallets.
Lactose monohydrate: It contains 5% crystalline water, so its fluidity is slightly poor, but it has good stability, making it the most commonly used form among pharmaceutical excipients.
Anhydrous Lactose: By removing the crystal water through a special process, it exhibits better flowability and is typically used in direct compression tableting processes.
No, Lactose is derived from the milk of mammals. Its industrial acquisition methods is achieved through a biochemical separation process involving the extraction and crystallization of whey，not chemical synthesis. Lactose is a natural sugar, not an artificial one.
Consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause of the Lactose intolerance, and then develop a feeding plan under the doctor’s guidance.
Specification of Lactose
| Test | Specification |
| Identification A | The infrared absorption spectrum of the sample is concordant with that of the standard. |
| Identification B | The principal spot obtained form the test solution corresponds in appearance and RF value to that obtained form standard solution A. The test is not valid unless the chromatogram obtained with standard solution B shows four clearly discernible spots, disregarding any spots at the origin. |
| Identification C | A red color develops |
| Specific rotation | +54.4 o ~ +55.9 o |
| Acidity or alkalinity | Add 0.3ml of phenolphthalein TS:the solution is colorless , and not more than 0.4ml of 0.1N sodium hydroxide is required to produce a red color. |
| Loss on drying | The monohydrate form loses not more than 0.5% of its weight, and the modified monohydrate form loses not more than 1.0% of its weight. |
| Water | 4.5~5.5% |
| Residue no ignition | 0.1% max |
| Heavy metals | The limit is 5ug per g. |
| Protein and light-absorbing impurities | The absorbance divided by the path length in centimeters is not more than 0.25 in the range of 210 to 220nm and is not more than 0.07 in the range of 270 to 300nm. |
| Microbial limits | Meet the requirement |
| Conclusion | The quality conforms to the standards of USP. |
