Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
additive for cattle and pet feed. A variety of yoghurts, drinks, ice cream and
infant formula have been developed by Morinaga Milk Industry.
5.8.3.
Lactosucrose
Lactosucrose has been used as a prebiotic ingredient in a range of food
products which have attained FOSHU status in Japan with 15 products
approved by 2005. It is used as a sweetener as well as a prebiotic in a range of
beverages, including coffee and tea. It is used in confectionaries, desserts,
sweets, bakery products and yoghurts. Its use is largely confined to Japan,
but marketing into the USA has commenced. It also has a use for improving
bowel consistency and faecal odour. Research has also been performed on
its use in pet food, particularly for reducing faecal odour (Fujimori, 1992).
5.8.4.
Lactitol
The principal use of lactitol is as a low-calorie sweetener in foodstuffs. It
is used in a range of low-energy and low-fat foods. Its high stability makes it
popular for bakery applications, although it is not able to participate in the
Maillard reaction. It is used in sweets, chocolates, biscuits and ice cream where
it competes with other sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. It
is used in glycaemic foods for diabetics and is also recognized as not causing
dental caries. Lactitol has also found application in pharmaceuticals as an
alternative to lactulose and as a cryoprotectant in surimi. Its low hygroscopi-
city and high viscosity give it advantages in chocolate and confectionary
manufacture. It has an emerging use in pre- and pro-biotic functional foods.
5.8.5.
Lactobionic Acid
In the pharmaceutical industry, lactobionic acid is used to deliver ery-
thromycin intravenously and also in calcium supplementation. A major com-
mercial use is its role in organ preservation fluids during transplantation
procedures in hospitals. Lactobionic acid is used in the ''Wisconsin transplan-
tation solution'' because its metal-chelating properties reduce oxidative
damage to tissue during storage and preservation of organs caused by some
metal ions. Lactobionic acid can also be an ingredient in chlorohexidine-based
disinfectants. It is able to suppress tissue damage caused by oxygen radicals and
is used to assist wound healing. In skincare, it has a use as a dermal care
cosmetic and possesses a number of useful properties for this purpose.
Emerging applications are as an acidulant with a sweet taste; a filler in
cheese production; use as a calcium carrier in functional drinks; as a co-
builder in detergents; and in corrosion protection. Lactobionic acid amides
