Production of biopharmaceutical (lactulose) from lactose and fructose by beta-galactosidase from bacteria

Lactulose is a biopharmaceutical substance that has properties as “Bifidus Factor” or Lactobacillus growth promotor, which is a beneficial microorganism to the body. It adjust the condition to be acidic to kill harmful bacteria in the digestive tract and can also be used for treating constipation, hepatic encephalitis tumor prevention and maintain blood sugar and insulin levels as well. Normally, lactulose contains galactose and fructose, which can be chemically synthesized by alkaline isomerization of lactose. The disadvantage of this method is that the resulting lactulose has a high decomposition rate and produces difficult to remove by-products. resulting in high production costs as well The biological production of lactulose using beta-galactosidase resolves these disadvantages. Beta-galactosidase is used to produce galacto-oligosaccharides from lactose through trans-galactosylation. Thus, this enzyme is able to break down lactose and convert galactose and fructose into lactulose. In addition, lactose is the most common sugar found in whey. Therefore, beta-galactosidase and glucose isomerase can be applied to produce lactulose from whey. This research project is interested in the selection, study and production of beta-galactosidase from bacteria. to produce lactulose, a high value biopharmaceutical substance. It started with the substrates being lactose and fructose, which are cheaper sugars. Then, it can be applied to whey or other biomass containing lactose in the future.