Galacto-oligosaccharides and other products derived from lactose

Abstract

Lactose is the precursor for a number of compounds derived by chemical, physical or enzymatic conversion that have an established and expanding place in the health and food industries. These include lactulose and galacto-oligosaccharides both of which are manufactured in large tonnages worldwide. Lactitol and lactosucrose are produced commercially, but in much smaller amounts, while lactobionic acid is produced for limited industrial and medical applications and for research use. The only other lactose derivative of commercial interest is an isomer of galactose called tagatose in which there is an emerging interest as a sweetener. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.