Biotechnological Production of Lactose Derivatives

The biotechnological production of lactose derivatives harnesses microbial fermentation and enzymatic oxidation to convert lactose, a major by-product of dairy processing, into value-added compounds. Key derivatives include lactobionic acid, galacto-oligosaccharides and other aldonic acids, each possessing unique functional properties such as chelation, antioxidant activity and prebiotic effects. Industrial processes employ whole-cell biocatalysts or isolated enzymes—often flavoprotein oxidases or dehydrogenases—to drive selective oxidation of the lactose reducing end. Advances in strain engineering, reactor design and process integration have improved yields, reduced energy input and enabled continuous operation in bioreactor systems. Valorisation of whey streams not only mitigates environmental burden but also supports a circular-economy model by transforming low-cost substrates into pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and specialty chemicals. Recent efforts have focused on optimising reaction parameters, developing novel biocatalytic materials and applying downstream purification strategies to deliver high-purity products at industrial scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Biotechnological Production of Lactose Derivatives publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biotechnological production of lactose derivatives across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Lactobionic acid: A sugar acid derived by oxidation of lactose, valued for its antioxidant, chelating and prebiotic properties.

Biocatalysis: The acceleration of chemical reactions through the use of whole cells or isolated enzymes.

Bioreactor: A controlled vessel in which biological processes such as fermentation or enzymatic conversion are carried out.

Microencapsulation: The technique of enclosing cells or compounds within a protective polymeric shell to enhance stability and control release.

Prebiotics: Non-digestible substrates selectively utilised by beneficial gut microorganisms, promoting host health.

References

1. Quantitative Analysis of Lactobionic Acid in Bioreactor Cultures and Selected Biological Activities. Molecules (2024).
2. Production of Lactobionic Acid Using Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Fruit Myrciaria dubia Extract. Journal of Nanotechnology (2023).
3. Lactobionic acid production by Pseudomonas taetrolens in a fed‐batch bioreactor using acid whey as substrate. International Journal of Dairy Technology (2022).