Product Description
Basic Information
Chemical Name: Lactose monohydrate (α-lactose monohydrate).
Chemical Formula: .C12H24O12
Molecular Weight: 360.31 (based on the international relative atomic masses in 1995).
Source and Production
Source: It is mainly obtained through processes such as concentration and crystallization of lactose in milk. The lactose content in milk is approximately 4.5% - 5%, which is the main raw material for the production of lactose monohydrate.
Production Process: Firstly, milk is pretreated by means of centrifugation and filtration to remove impurities. Then, the lactose is made supersaturated through evaporation and concentration. Subsequently, lactose monohydrate powder is obtained through steps like crystallization, centrifugal separation, and drying. For example, during the crystallization process, controlling conditions such as temperature and stirring speed can affect the size and shape of lactose crystals, thereby influencing the quality of the product.
Physical Properties
Appearance: It appears as white crystalline granules or powder.
Odor and Taste: It has a slight sweet taste and is odorless.
Solubility: It is readily soluble in water, forming a transparent solution in water. Its solubility increases with the increase in temperature. At 20 °C, the solubility is approximately 19 g/100 mL of water; at 90 °C, the solubility can reach about 75 g/100 mL of water. It is hardly soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and chloroform.
Density: Approximately 1.525 g/cm³.
Melting Point: 201 - 202 °C (decomposes).
Chemical Properties
Stability: It is relatively stable under normal temperature and pressure, but it may lose its crystal water in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. For example, at temperatures above 120 °C, lactose monohydrate will gradually lose its crystal water and transform into anhydrous lactose.
Reducibility: Lactose is a reducing sugar and can undergo redox reactions with reagents like Fehling's reagent. For example, under alkaline conditions, lactose can reduce copper sulfate to cuprous oxide, producing a brick-red precipitate, and this characteristic can be used for the detection of lactose.
Hydrolysis Reaction: Under acidic conditions, lactose can undergo a hydrolysis reaction to generate glucose and galactose. For instance, when heated in a dilute hydrochloric acid solution, the glycosidic bond of lactose breaks, producing equimolar amounts of glucose and galactose.
Quality Standards
Purity Requirement: Generally, a purity of over 98% is required. Impurities mainly include other sugars (such as glucose, galactose), proteins, and ash. For example, in pharmaceutical-grade lactose monohydrate, the control of impurities is more stringent to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs.
Microbial Limits: It needs to comply with relevant standards. For example, in food-grade lactose monohydrate, the total number of bacteria is generally required to be no more than 1000 CFU/g, and the number of molds and yeasts is required to be no more than 100 CFU/g.
Application Fields
Food Industry
As a Sweetener: It can be used in foods such as candies, chocolates, and biscuits to provide sweetness. Since its sweetness is about 0.3 - 0.6 times that of sucrose, it is more suitably applied in some foods where the sweetness needs to be controlled.
As a Filler and Carrier: It serves as a filler in products such as solid beverages and powdered flavors to help maintain the shape and stability of the products. For example, in instant coffee, lactose monohydrate can make the coffee powder particles evenly dispersed and easy to dissolve.
For Fermented Foods: In the production of fermented foods such as bread and yogurt, lactose can provide a carbon source for microorganisms and promote the fermentation process.
Pharmaceutical Industry
As a Pharmaceutical Excipient: In drug dosage forms such as tablets and capsules, it acts as a filler, diluent, and binder. For example, in some antibiotic tablets, lactose monohydrate can make the drug components evenly distributed, facilitating the tableting process.
For Special Medical Purpose Formulated Foods: It provides an energy source for special populations other than those with lactose intolerance. For example, in some infant formula milk powders, an appropriate amount of lactose monohydrate is contained to simulate the composition of breast milk and contribute to the growth and development of infants.
Storage and Transportation
Storage Conditions: It should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated environment to avoid moisture absorption. Because if it absorbs moisture, it may agglomerate and affect its use. The ideal storage temperature is generally 2 - 8 °C, which can extend the shelf life of the product.
Packaging Requirements: Usually, it adopts sealed packaging, such as aluminum foil bags or plastic buckets. For large-scale transportation, moisture-proof outer packaging materials, such as corrugated cartons, are used, and desiccants are placed inside the boxes to prevent the product from getting wet during transportation.
Transportation Precautions: During transportation, it is necessary to avoid rain, sunlight, and prevent packaging damage. Because packaging damage may lead to the product being exposed to adverse environments and affect its quality.
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