Lactulose Application in Medicine and Pharmacy
Strong clinical evidence across broad indications and high pharmaceutical-grade recognition
Unique "small-intestine indigestible, colon-targeted" mechanism with a well-defined prebiotic effect
Excellent safety and tolerability, suitable for people with diabetes
Added value in functional food development, with room for next-generation ingredient extensions
Lactulose Application in Medicine and Pharmacy
Background and Properties of LOSWIFT™Lactulose
Natural Sweetness, Enhanced Performance
Lactulose (4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-fructose) is a synthetic, non-digestible disaccharide that does not occur naturally. It is produced almost exclusively today through alkaline isomerization of lactose, in a process that follows the Lobry de Bruyn-Alberda van Ekenstein transformation: under basic conditions, the glucose unit of lactose is rearranged into a fructose unit, yielding LOSWIFT™Lactulose as an intermediate of lactose isomerization.
The molecule has a molar mass of 342.30 g mol^-1, a melting point of 169 degreesC, and appears as a white, odourless powder with a mild sweet taste. LOSWIFT™Lactulose exists in multiple isomeric forms, with beta-furanose, beta-pyranose and alpha-furanose being the three predominant configurations, accounting for approximately 74.5%, 15.5% and 10.0% of the total, respectively; no evidence supports the presence of the alpha-pyranose form.
Although simple in structure, LOSWIFT™Lactulose is unique in that mammals lack the specific disaccharidase needed to hydrolyze it in the small intestine. As a result, it reaches the colon essentially intact, where it becomes an efficient substrate for saccharolytic bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species.
3. Health Benefits and Physiological Functions
Osmotic laxative effect in chronic constipation
Lactulose has served as a laxative since the 1960s and is considered suitable at every age, including infancy. Treatment of constipation normally starts with dietary adjustment and increased fibre, osmotic agents being introduced only if these measures are inadequate.
Reduction of blood ammonia and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), also termed portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE), is a neuropsychiatric complication of advanced liver disease in which ammonia clearance fails. LOSWIFT™Lactulose is established first-line therapy and operates through three mutually reinforcing mechanisms: colonic acidification, bacterial nitrogen incorporation, and suppression of ammonia-generating bacterial enzymes.
Inhibition of secondary bile acid formation
Deoxycholic and lithocholic acid, the dominant secondary bile acids, are produced in the colon when bacteria transform primary bile acids, and both have been associated with colonic carcinogenesis. By expanding bifidobacteria and lowering luminal pH, LOSWIFT™Lactulose redirects bile acid metabolism in a potentially protective direction.
Enhancement of mineral absorption
Lactulose promotes intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium and, more modestly, of zinc, copper and iron. The calcium effect is intake dependent, becoming statistically significant in rats only when dietary calcium reaches at least 0.3%.
Prebiotic action and immune modulation
Microbiota Expansion & Barrier Reinforcement
Selective fermentation enlarges the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations while contracting potentially pathogenic groups such as Bacteroides, Clostridium and certain E. coli strains, boosting short-chain fatty acid output and reinforcing the epithelial barrier.
Infant Formula & Dairy Application
In infant formula, a mere 0.5% LOSWIFT™Lactulose is regarded as adequate for a bifidogenic response, and 1% may add a mild laxative action without compromising product acceptability or shelf stability.
Functional Yogurt & Soymilk
Yogurt sweetened with LOSWIFT™Lactulose acts as a gentle laxative and shortens transit, while adding 0.5% LOSWIFT™Lactulose to soymilk favours beneficial bacteria that convert inactive isoflavone glycosides into active aglycones.
About the Company
Baolingbao Biology Co., Ltd.
Large-Scale Manufacturing & Supply
Operating across 1,600 acres with 16 production lines and a 600,000-ton annual capacity, Baolingbao provides integrated R&D, scaling, and reliable delivery of functional sugars and prebiotic ingredients globally.
Industry Firsts & Milestones
As a functional sugar pioneer, Baolingbao achieved industrial oligosaccharide production in 1997, joined the Coca-Cola supply chain in 2003, became an A-share listed company in 2009, and industrialized HMOs in 2024.
Contact Us
baolingbao@blb-cn.com
