D-Lactose monohydrate

Chemical properties

D-Lactose monohydrate is a white to almost white powder. Soluble in water (warm) (0.1 g/mL) and ethanol (very slightly soluble). Insoluble in chloroform and ether.

The Uses of D-Lactose monohydrate

D-Lactose monohydrate is a biochemical reagent commonly employed as an additive in microbial cultures. It is typically used as a carbon source in bacterial growth media. Additionally, it is often used in MacConkey agar and Luria-Bertani (LB) broth with lactose for bacterial selection and differentiation.

Definition

ChEBI: Alpha-lactose monohydrate is a glycoside.

General Description

Pharmaceutical secondary standards for application in quality control, provide pharma laboratories and manufacturers with a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the preparation of in-house working standards.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Lactose is a dissacharide formed by the condensation of one galactose and one glucose molecule. Lactose is the major sugar in the milk of most species, typically present between 2-8%. The enzyme lactase hydrolyzes lactose to its constituent monosaccharides. In neonates, glucose released via the action of lactase is a major energy source.