Milk sugar

Milk Sugar or Lactose is a disaccharide sugar that is found in milk and milk products. It is a significant carbohydrate in mammalian milk and is the primary source of nutrition for newborn mammals before they are able to digest other types of food.

Chemical Structure

Lactose is a disaccharide. It is composed of two monosaccharides: glucose and galactose. Lactose is synthesized by the mammary gland and can only be found in milk. It is, in fact, the only known sugar that is derived from an animal source.

Digestion

The digestion of lactose requires the presence of an enzyme called lactase. This enzyme breaks down lactose into its constituent monosaccharides, which can then be absorbed by the body. Some individuals do not produce enough lactase, a condition known as lactose intolerance. This can lead to digestive problems when they consume lactose-containing products.

Uses

Lactose is used in the food industry for its nutritional and physical properties. It is used in a variety of products including baby formula, candy, and as a filler in tablets and capsules. In the pharmaceutical industry, lactose is used as a filler in tablets and capsules, and as a diluent in dry powder inhalers.

See Also

• Lactase
• Lactose intolerance
• Milk
• Galactose
• Glucose