Lactulose → Lactitol dihydrate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Because the mixture according to the invention is a liquid, it is preferable to start from the lactitol reaction mixture obtained after the hydrogenation of lactose. Said reaction is usually performed in an aqueous medium in the presence of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst. The lactitol solution in water obtained after filtration, purification and possibly concentration by evaporation is very suitable as a source of lactitol for the preparation of the mixture according to the invention. The condition for using such a solution is, however, that the lactitol solution is sufficiently pure, that is to say at least 90% by weight, and preferably 95% by weight, of the content of dissolved solids is composed of lactitol. The advantage of using such a lactitol is that no crystallization step is necessary to obtain crystalline lactitol monohydrate or crystalline lactitol dihydrate which then has to be redissolved. The advantage of using a crystalline lactitol hydrate is the high purity (usually more than 97% by weight of lactitol).

Provenance & Evidence