beta-lactose

Beta-lactose is an anomeric form of lactose, a disaccharide sugar composed of D-galactose and D-glucose. While alpha-lactose is more common, beta-lactose is highly water-soluble and is widely utilized as a pharmaceutical excipient, particularly as a filler and binder in direct compression tablet formulations. Beyond its role as an inactive ingredient, beta-lactose acts as a carbohydrate ligand that binds to galectins, such as Galectin-3 and Galectin-9, which are involved in cell adhesion, inflammation, and immune checkpoint regulation. It is also investigated for its prebiotic effects on the gut microbiome.

Other names

4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosebeta-D-lactosebeta-pyranose form of lactosemilk sugar