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The role and efficacy of lactase

2021-06-05

Lactase is widely present in animals, plants and microorganisms, and can be divided into extracellular enzymes and intracellular enzymes according to different sources. The main function of lactase is to break down excess lactose in the human body into glucose and galactose. Glucose is the energy source for the metabolism of various parts of the human body, while galactose is a structural sugar necessary for the metabolism of the human brain and mucosal tissues. It is a necessary tissue for infant brain development and is closely related to the rapid growth of infant brains. Furthermore, lactase can also produce oligosaccharides through transglycosides in the human body. These oligosaccharides are a low molecular weight, non-viscous, water-soluble dietary fiber, which is only used as a growth factor in the intestine by bifidobacteria Utilized, but not used by spoilage bacteria, this can greatly reduce the production of harmful toxins in the intestines, and play an important role in preventing constipation and diarrhea.
Among the lactase components, the lactase phloside hydrolase is the one that actually hydrolyzes lactose. LPH is a glycoprotein on the microchorion of intestinal epithelial cells with an optimal pH of 5.5 to 6.0. It has two enzyme activities: lactase and phloridin hydrolase.
Catalytic decomposition of lactose
Lactase is mainly used in the dairy industry to use its hydrolysis to decompose lactose in dairy products to produce low-lactose or lactose-free dairy products for people with lactose intolerance. In addition, acid lactase can be made into medical lactase preparations, or added to milk powder to make special-purpose milk powder, which is clinically used for the treatment of symptomatic lactose intolerance, especially for infants and young children whose main source of nutrition is dairy products. Lactase preparations are the most ideal choice for infants with lactose intolerance.
The transfer of galactosidase from lactase
Galactose produces galacto-oligosaccharides under the action of lactase transglycosidation. This technology can be used to produce galacto-oligosaccharides. Galacto-oligosaccharides are currently on the market. Galactooligosaccharides cannot be absorbed by the human body, but can be used by probiotics such as bifidobacteria in the intestines to promote the proliferation of probiotics. It is a good prebiotic, also known as bifidus factor. Galacto-oligosaccharides are The only source of prebiotics for breast milk.