Lactose Analysis Service

What is Lactose?

Lactose, commonly known as milk sugar, is naturally present in milk and dairy products. It serves as the primary carbohydrate source in mammalian milk, providing energy for growth and development. Chemically, lactose belongs to the group of carbohydrates known as disaccharides, comprising two monosaccharides—glucose and galactose—linked together through a β-glycosidic bond.

Creative Proteomics offers a comprehensive suite of lactose analysis services tailored to meet the diverse needs of industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Our state-of-the-art facilities, coupled with expertise in analytical techniques, enable precise and reliable determination of lactose content in various matrices.

Lactose Analysis Services in Creative Proteomics

Quantitative Analysis: Accurate determination of lactose concentration in various samples using advanced analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), enzymatic assays, mass spectrometry (MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Qualitative Analysis: Identification and characterization of lactose and its derivatives in complex matrices, providing insights into lactose composition and structure.

Method Development: Customized method development to suit specific sample types and analytical requirements, ensuring optimal performance and sensitivity.

Consultation and Support: Expert consultation and support throughout the lactose analysis process, including data interpretation, troubleshooting, and recommendations for further analysis or optimization.

3 U-HPLC-ESI-MS analysis of disaccharides (lactose, maltose and sucrose), on PGC column with Method B (Valgimigli et al., 2012).

Technical Platforms for Lactose Analysis

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

HPLC separates lactose from other components in a sample based on differences in their interactions with a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Detection is typically achieved through UV-Vis spectroscopy or refractive index detection.

Applications:

• Quantitative analysis of lactose in various matrices.
• Identification and quantification of lactose isomers and derivatives.
• Analysis of lactose content in dairy products, pharmaceuticals, and food matrices.

Enzymatic Assays

Enzymatic assays utilize lactase enzyme to catalyze the hydrolysis of lactose into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose, and galactose. The resulting products are then quantified using various detection methods.

Applications:

• Rapid screening of lactose content in dairy products and food samples.
• Determination of lactose intolerance through assessment of lactase enzyme activity.
• Quantitative analysis of lactose in pharmaceutical formulations.

Mass Spectrometry (MS)

MS ionizes lactose molecules and separates them based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Different MS techniques, such as LC-MS and MALDI-TOF MS, offer high sensitivity and specificity for lactose analysis.

Applications:

• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of lactose and its derivatives.
• Detection of trace amounts of lactose in complex matrices.
• Structural elucidation of lactose-containing compounds.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy

NMR spectroscopy analyzes the interaction of lactose molecules with a magnetic field, providing information about their chemical structure and composition.

Applications:

• Structural characterization of lactose and its derivatives.
• Determination of anomeric configuration and glycosidic linkage in lactose molecules.
• Analysis of lactose content in mixtures and formulations.

Sample Requirements for Lactose Analysis

Deliverables

Upon completion of lactose analysis, clients can expect comprehensive deliverables tailored to their specific needs. These may include:

• Comprehensive Report: Detailed analysis report containing quantitative and qualitative results, methodology, and interpretations.
• Data Files: Raw data files generated from analytical instruments for further analysis and validation.
• Consultation Summary: Summary of consultations and recommendations provided by our experts, if applicable.
• Quality Assurance Documentation: Documentation ensuring the quality and accuracy of analysis conducted.

Applications of Lactose Analysis

Dairy Industry: Quality control, product development, and regulatory compliance in milk and dairy processing.

Food Industry: Ingredient labeling, allergen control, and product formulation in food manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical Industry: Formulation development, dosage optimization, and quality assurance in pharmaceuticals.

Research and Academia: Understanding lactose metabolism, dietary intake, and implications for human health.

Reference

1. Valgimigli, Luca, Simone Gabbanini, and Riccardo Matera. "Analysis of maltose and lactose by U-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS." (2012).

What is the main role of lactose in the body?

The main role of lactose in the body is primarily associated with its function as a vital source of energy, especially during infancy. Lactose, a disaccharide sugar, is abundantly present in mammalian milk, including human breast milk. Its significance stems from its composition, which consists of two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, linked together by a glycosidic bond.

1. Energy Source: Lactose serves as a crucial energy source for newborns and infants. As the primary carbohydrate in milk, lactose provides readily available energy for the rapidly growing and developing body of the infant. Glucose, one of the monosaccharides produced upon lactose digestion, is the preferred fuel for various metabolic processes, including cellular respiration, which produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the body.

2. Nutrient Absorption: Lactose plays a significant role in the absorption of other essential nutrients, particularly calcium. In the small intestine, lactose digestion produces glucose and galactose, which facilitate the absorption of calcium and other minerals. Adequate calcium absorption is crucial for bone development and overall skeletal health, especially during the critical stages of infancy and childhood.

3. Microbiota Support: Lactose also contributes to the establishment and maintenance of a healthy gut microbiota in infants. The undigested lactose reaching the large intestine serves as a substrate for beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These bacteria ferment lactose, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other metabolites that help nourish the intestinal epithelial cells, regulate gut pH, and support immune function.

4. Developmental Benefits: Beyond its role as an energy source, lactose intake during infancy may confer long-term developmental benefits. Research suggests that breastfeeding, which provides lactose-rich milk, is associated with reduced risk of various health conditions later in life, including obesity, diabetes, and certain gastrointestinal disorders. The bioactive components present in breast milk, including lactose, contribute to the development of a well-functioning immune system and promote optimal growth and neurodevelopment.

What is the pathway of lactose metabolism?

The pathway of lactose metabolism involves a series of biochemical reactions that occur primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and within cells throughout the body.

Ingestion: Lactose, the primary carbohydrate in mammalian milk, is ingested by newborns and infants through breastfeeding or consumption of dairy products.

Digestion in the Small Intestine:

• Lactase Secretion: Upon reaching the small intestine, lactose encounters the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the epithelial cells lining the intestinal villi.
• Hydrolysis: Lactase catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose, and galactose. This reaction breaks the glycosidic bond linking glucose and galactose in lactose, resulting in two separate molecules.

Absorption:

• Transport Across Intestinal Epithelium: Glucose and galactose, the products of lactose digestion, are absorbed by the enterocytes (intestinal absorptive cells) lining the small intestine.
• Transporters: Glucose is primarily transported into enterocytes by the sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), which couples glucose uptake with sodium transport. Galactose is transported into enterocytes via a specific transporter known as the sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2).

Transport to the Liver:

• Portal Circulation: Glucose and galactose are transported via the portal vein to the liver, where they undergo further metabolism.

Metabolism in the Liver:

• Galactose Conversion: In the liver, galactose is converted into glucose-1-phosphate through a series of enzymatic reactions collectively known as the Leloir pathway. The first step involves phosphorylation of galactose by galactokinase to form galactose-1-phosphate.
• Galactose-1-Phosphate Conversion: Galactose-1-phosphate is subsequently converted into glucose-1-phosphate by the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase.
• Glucose Production: Glucose-1-phosphate is further metabolized to produce glucose, which can be released into the bloodstream to maintain blood glucose levels or stored as glycogen for future energy needs.

Utilization and Storage:

• Energy Production: Glucose derived from lactose metabolism serves as a primary fuel source for various tissues and organs, including the brain, muscles, and adipose tissue.
• Glycogen Synthesis: Excess glucose can be stored in the liver and skeletal muscles as glycogen through glycogenesis, providing a readily available energy reserve.
• Lipogenesis: In some cases, surplus glucose may also be converted into fatty acids through lipogenesis and stored as triglycerides in adipose tissue for long-term energy storage.

Excretion:

• Any unused or excess glucose not stored as glycogen or utilized for energy production may be excreted from the body via the kidneys in the form of urine.