ABSTRACT
Lactulose with prebiotic activity is the isomerized form of lactose, having chemical name as 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose and molecular weight of 342.3 g/mol. The sweetness for lactulose is greater than lactose but lesser than sucrose. Lactulose can be derived or prepared from lactose by chemical, electro-activation, or enzymatic methods. The versatile applications of lactulose are well acknowledged by dairy-, food-, and pharma industries. The digestive enzymes from human gut are unable to digest lactulose; therefore, this indigested lactulose can be utilized for the growth of human gut’s Bifidobacterium species. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species can degrade lactulose to different organic acids (such as: acetic, lactic, and formic acids) that have potent laxative properties. Scientific studies have shown that lactulose has a potent prebiotic effect by protecting the probiotic bacteria in dairy and food products. The effect of lactulose is well acknowledged for the treatment of constipation as well as controlling insulin, blood glucose level, and serum lipids, etc.
