Lactose

Milk Sugar; 4-O-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-glucose; Lactobiose; O-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-glucose

CAS 63-42-3

Chemical Formula C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁

Molecular Weight 342.30 g/mol

Lactose is a glycosylglucose disaccharide, found most notably in milk. It is a sugar composed of galactose and glucose subunits. In lactose intolerance, digestive symptoms are caused by lactose malabsorption. Lactose malabsorption is a condition in which your small intestine cannot digest, or break down, all the lactose you eat or drink.

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Industrial Uses

1. Food & Beverage

  • Sweetener and Filler: Lactose is used as a mildly sweet filler in baked goods, confectioneries, and dairy products. It helps in bulking and adds a subtle sweetness without significantly altering flavor.
  • Fermentation Substrate: In the production of fermented foods like yogurt, cheese, and kefir, lactose serves as a substrate for bacteria, aiding in fermentation and flavor development.
  • Texture Enhancer: It is used in ice creams, creams, and whipped toppings to improve texture, mouthfeel, and consistency.

2. Pharmaceuticals

  • Excipient: Lactose is widely used as an excipient in tablet formulations due to its compressibility and stability. It acts as a filler or binder that ensures uniform distribution of the active ingredient.
  • Diluent: In dry powder inhalers (DPIs), lactose is used as a carrier to help deliver the active drug deep into the lungs by enhancing flow properties and reducing particle aggregation.

3. Personal Care

  • Humectant: Lactose is used in skin care products as a humectant to retain moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and soft.
  • Stabilizer: In personal care products like creams and lotions, lactose can act as a stabilizer to prevent separation and improve texture and shelf life.

4. Chemical Synthesis

  • Biotechnology and Fermentation: Lactose is used as a carbon source in fermentation processes for producing antibiotics, enzymes, and other bioactive compounds. It is also employed in microbial culture media for laboratory research and industrial microbiology.
  • Plasticizer: In certain bioplastics and polymer applications, lactose can act as a plasticizer, improving flexibility and reducing brittleness.

5. Animal Healthcare

  • Feed Ingredient: Lactose is often included in milk replacers for young animals, such as calves and piglets, to mimic the nutritional profile of natural milk and promote growth and health.
  • Prebiotic Source: It serves as a prebiotic in animal feeds, encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and improving digestion and nutrient absorption in livestock.
  • Nutritional Additive: Lactose is used in animal feed, especially in young animals like calves and piglets, to provide a digestible carbohydrate source, improving nutrition and growth rates.

Specifications

Assay ≥ 99% (depending on the grade)
Appearance White crystalline powder
Odor Odorless
Boiling Point Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Melting Point 202°C (396°F) (decomposes)
Density 1.525 g/cm³
Solubility Soluble in water (200 g/L at 20°C)
Viscosity Not applicable (solid at room temperature)
Flash Point Not flammable

FAQs

1. What is the current price of Lactose in India?
The price of Lactose can vary based on factors such as purity, quantity, etc. For the most accurate and competitive pricing, please contact us at +91.979 979 2121 directly for a customized quote tailored to your needs.

2. Where can I buy Lactose in India?
You can purchase Lactose from MULTICHEM, a leading importer with a reputation for quality and reliability. We provide convenient options for bulk orders and direct shipments across India. For more details on how to place an order, please visit our website or contact our sales team.

3. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Lactose?
Our minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Lactose is designed to cater to both small-scale and large-scale needs. The MOQ depends on the packing size of the product which could range from 25 kg to 250kg.

4. How can I ensure the quality of Lactose supplied by Multichem?
We adhere to stringent quality control processes to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of purity and effectiveness. They undergo rigorous testing and quality checks to guarantee that they comply with industry specifications. We provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with every shipment to ensure transparency and quality assurance.