Calculating Lactose Intake with Lactaid Caplets

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ouabache
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the use of Lactaid caplets for lactose digestion, particularly in the absence of the liquid form. The user seeks to understand how to effectively use the caplets in milk by determining the amount of lactase per caplet, the lactose content in milk, and the conversion of lactase units to milligrams. It is noted that Lactaid caplets contain 9000 Units of lactase per serving, translating to approximately 3000 Units per caplet. The user has confirmed that skim milk contains about 50 grams of lactose per liter, equating to 12 grams per cup. The main inquiry remains about how much lactose can be digested by a specific amount of lactase, acknowledging that lactase is not consumed in the process and its effectiveness can vary based on temperature. The user is looking for reliable sources or insights from those knowledgeable in biochemistry to clarify these enzymatic interactions.
Ouabache
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Messages
1,345
Reaction score
8
I imagine this is an easy question about lactase, but I don't have any good reference materials to make a valid calculation.

At one time a commercial product of lactase (Lactaid) was formulated as liquid and could be added to dairy products (milk, cream) to digest the lactose. (use for lactose intolerant individuals)

Today this product (Lactaid) is apparently only available as a solid (caplets). Since the liquid form is not available, can we use the caplets in the same way? (dissolve directly into milk). Directions on Lactaid caplets say: take 3 caplets before eating dairy products, which does not apply to my question.

(a) If we knew the amount of lactase/caplet?
(b) and how much lactose is digested per amount of lactase?
(c) and how much lactose is present say per volume of milk?
Once the above is known, it would be straight forward calculation, how many caplets are needed per volume of milk.

The product literature states there are 9000 Units (FCC)/serving. Since there are 3 caplets/serving, I interpret this to mean, there are 3000 Units lactase per caplet.

Since Unit is an ambiguous term,
(d) what is Unit to milligram conversion?

I only have a partial answer to (a) 3000 Units. I have researched the web looking for answers to the other questions and found some possibilities but cannot verify them. I wished to compare with someone familiar with this enzymatic action.
Thanks in advance, for your help.
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
(c)how much lactose is present say per volume of milk?
Just verified answer to (c)
On composition label for a gallon of skim milk, it states 12gm sugar/serving. (serving = 1 cup=240ml) so lactose in milk is 50gm/L

This is also consistent with information I found earlier in web published http://www.funhouse.com/babs/lactose.html .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Any biochemistry folks know where I may find out how much lactose (gms) is digested per amount (gms) of lactase?

(I have learned that lactase or any enzyme for that matter, is not consumed in the process, but released and may subsequently work on additional molecules of lactose, so there is some rate of conversion over time. And this rate is temperature dependant).
 
I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
Back
Top