Lactulose can not be assimilate in the small intestine, and only reach the large intestine can it be used by bifidobacteria and heighten the proliferative activity of it. Therefore lactulose is classified as low calorific sweetener and food additives. In addition to that, it used in medicine for the treatment of constipation and the venous system disease. It is used as Indirect nutritional supplements, can being added to milk, drinks. Lactulose could help digestion and absorption of protein, lactose, and produce Vitamin B.

1. Pay attention to intestinal health——
Lactulose, an outstanding representative
of the prebiotic family

2. Main Contents
 What is lactulose
 Why study lactulose
 The physiological function of lactulose as a
prebiotic
 Advantages of lactulose as food materials

3. What is lactulose?
The lactulose is divided into solid and liquid forms. The lactulose liquid is a colorless to dark
yellow transparent liquid with low sweetness and low calorie and content of more than 50%.
The lactulose power is white crystal with a content of more than 97%, is easily soluble in water,
has good heat and acid resistance, high safety and convenient use. It is a new type of functional
disaccharide and an oligosaccharide with special health care functions.
Lactulose is a prebiotic that has the function of proliferating bifidobacteria, improving the
intestinal environment and maintaining intestinal health.
liquid power

4. The molecular formula and formation process of lactulose
Isomerized lactose, also known as lactulose, Its chemical name is 4-O-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-fructose.
CH OH CH OH
HO 2 O HO 2 O H
H
O
H
H OH H H
OH H
OH
HH OH OH
galactose + glucose
lactose(disaccharide)
C12 H22O11: Mr=342.3 g/mol
CH2OH HOCH2
HO O O OH
H
H OH
H
H OH H
HO
CH2OH
H OH H
galactose +fructose
Isomerization Isomerized lactos(disaccharide)
Alkali
Heat treatment

5. Why study lactulose——Relationship between
intestinal flora and health
The body health
The balance of intestinal flora
Probiotics can antagonize pathogens in the body, produce beneficial substances, and
enhance the body's immunity. Prebiotics, as a food for probiotics, can increase the
amount of probiotics.
Probiotics Prebiotics
(beneficial bacteria,such as bifidobacteria
and lactic acid bacteria)
(Such as Oligosaccharide and
dietary fiber）

6. Changes of intestinal flora in different age groups
Bifidobacteria Microflora 1: 3 (1982)

7. Causes of the incidence of constipation increasing with age
Increase of age
• Muscle strength decline
• Chewing strength weakened(Lack of fiber)
• Water intake reduced (Avoid frequent urination)
• Side effects of drugs(Aged People often take medicine)
• Microbial flora changes with age
Constipation in the elderly is inevitable
Supplementing probiotics and prebiotics can prevent
and relieve constipation

8. Why study lactulose - the cause of maternal constipation
•Excessive intake of high-nutrient foods, ignoring the intake of food such as fruits, vegetables
and dietary fiber;
•Lack of exercise, intestinal peristalsis slows down, making stool stay in the body for a long time;
•The fetus gradually matures, the uterus continues to increase, oppressing the intestines, making the
defecation power lacking;
•Changes in hormone secretion in the body, intestinal peristalsis weakened, and the body's demand for
water increased;
•Pregnant women suffer from hemorrhoids, and they are afraid to defecate in time because of fear of
pain;
•The postpartum pelvic floor tissue is loose, which makes the defecation strength weakened;
•Perineal and pelvic injuries caused by childbirth, through the nerve reflex, inhibit bowel movements.
Maternal constipation

9. The physiological function of lactulose as a prebiotic
Improve intestinal
flora
Prevent and
relieve
constipation
Suppress the production
of harmful substances
Prevention and
treatment of
hepatic
encephalopathy
Promote the
absorption of
minerals

10. The physiological function of lactulose as a prebiotic
Study on the effect of yogurt containing lactulose on human body
5 males, 5 females, 20-60 years old. Test design:
3-6 weeks
3 months
3-6 weeks
Plain yogurt (130g / day) daily
Yogurt (130g / day) + lactulose
(0.65g / day)daily
A
B C
Compare changes before and after each yogurt intake

11. Lactulose: preventing and relieving constipation
Lactulose: improves intestinal flora and inhibits the production of harmful substances
such as ammonia
Consulting project Answer
Control group
(yogurt only)
Yoghurt containing
lactulose
Fecal traits and
frequency of bowel
movements Patency of stool, once a day 2 6
Unchanged, once a day 8 4
Diarrhea or constipation 0 0
Appetite Increased 0 1
Unchanged 10 9
Decreased 0 0
Flatulence or
borborygmus Improved 0 4
Aggravation 0 0
Weight Increased 0 0
Unchanged 10 10
Decreased 0 0

12. **
**P<0.01
Number of bifidobacteria in feces
1000
*
N-
NH3
800
(ug/
g
）
600
feces
400
200
0
A B
Concentration of NH3-N in feces
*P<0.05
Before
ingestion
After
ingestion
Daily intake yogurt with 650 mg of lactulose can increase the number of
bifidobacteria in the intestine and reduce the ammonia content in the intestine

13. Lactulose: the only prebiotic that can be used to treat
constipation
Lactulose is by far the only
prebiotic for medicinal treatment
of constipation. Clinical trials
involve many age groups such as
infants, children, pregnant
women and the elderly,
including Germany, Japan, South
Korea, the Netherlands, the
United States and Singapore.

14. Advantages of lactulose as food materials
Good acid resistance: resistant to stomach acid
Good heat resistance
Low calorie, sweetness and hygroscopicity
Lactulose is a pure disaccharide molecule that is easy to detect when added to the
product.
Low added amount (small molecular weight, use less added amount to achieve the same osmotic pressure)
Compared with other prebiotics, it can promote the proliferation of more types of bifidobacteria
The catharsis effect is good, and it is the only prebiotic that can be used for medicinal treatment of constipation.
Can promote the absorption of calcium and magnesium
Safe and reliable, with a long history of use (up to 60 years of medicinal history)

15. Lactulose: safe and reliable, has a long history of use
Japan's approval of lactulose
can be added to foods, and it
has special health functions
The new national standard
GB1886.176-2016 food
additive lactulose has been
released
Bifidus
factor
Treating hepatic
encephalopathy
1957 1959 1966 1988 1992 2010 2016
Treating chronic
constipation GB8816-88 The EU claims that lactulose is
Food additive conducive to reduce potentially pathogenic microorganisms and
Lactulose liquid shortens intestinal transit time.
The use of lactulose has a long history and can be applied to the field of medicine, which
proves that lactulose has extremely high safety. In China, lactulose has been applied to health
foods, infant formula powder, maternal powder, middle-aged powder and beverages.