Lactose is a carbohydrate
sugar composed of galactose and glucose subunits, with the molecular formula
C12H22O11. It makes up around 2-8% of milk by mass. The name lactose comes from
lac (gen. lactis), the Latin word for milk, plus the suffix -ose, which is used
to name sugars. Lactose is a white, water-soluble, non-hygroscopic solid with a
mildly sweet taste. It is widely used in the food industry as a sweetener and
flavor enhancer in dairy products.
In the human body, lactose
serves as an important source of energy. When digested and absorbed, it is
broken down into glucose and galactose, which are then transported to tissues
such as the liver and muscles to provide energy. In addition to its role as an
energy source, lactose also helps maintain gut health by stimulating the growth
of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, promoting intestinal peristalsis, and
aiding in the expulsion of waste and toxins.
Lactose also plays a role
in neurodevelopment. Galactose, one of the components of lactose, is a
component of glycolipids that make up brain and nervous tissue. It is essential
for the intellectual development of infants and can promote the production of
galactosylcerebroside and mucopolysaccharides. Lactose is one of the main
nutrients for children’s growth and development and is particularly important
for the intellectual development of teenagers. Newborn babies require lactose
for proper growth and development.
In addition to its
nutritional benefits, lactose is also widely used in industry. Pharmaceutical
lactose is a commonly used excipient in the pharmaceutical industry, serving as
a filler, diluent, crystallizer, and drug carrier. It is produced from lactose
extracted from milk through refining, dehydration, grinding, and other
processes. The purity of pharmaceutical lactose is very high, generally above
99%.
Lactose is also widely used
as a food additive in the food industry for sweetening, adding flavor, and
improving texture. It can be found in chocolate, candy, biscuits, ice cream,
and other foods.
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