Lactobionic acid (4-''O''-β-galactopyranosyl-D-gluconic acid) is a sugar acid. It is a disaccharide formed from gluconic acid and galactose. It can be formed by oxidation of

lactose Lactose is a disaccharide sugar synthesized by galactose and glucose subunits and has the molecular formula C12H22O11. Lactose makes up around 2–8% of milk (by mass). The name comes from ' (gen. '), the Latin word for milk, plus the suffix '' - ...

. The carboxylate anion of lactobionic acid is known as lactobionate. As an

acid In computer science, ACID ( atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability) is a set of properties of database transactions intended to guarantee data validity despite errors, power failures, and other mishaps. In the context of databases, a sequ ...

, lactobionic acid can form salts with mineral cations such as calcium, potassium, sodium and zinc. Calcium lactobionate is a

food additive Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives have been used for centuries as part of an effort to preserve food, for example vinegar (pickling), salt (salt ...

used as a stabilizer. Potassium lactobionate is added to organ preservation solutions such as Viaspan or CoStorSol to provide osmotic support and prevent cell swelling. Mineral salts of lactobionic acid are also used for mineral supplementation. Lactobionic acid is also used in the cosmetics industry as an

antioxidant Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. This can lead to polymerization and other chain reactions. They are frequently added to industrial products, such as fuels and lubricant ...

{{Cite journal , last1=Tasic-Kostov , first1=M. , last2=Pavlovic , first2=D. , last3=Lukic , first3=M. , last4=Jaksic , first4=I. , last5=Arsic , first5=I. , last6=Savic , first6=S. , date=2012-10-12 , title=Lactobionic acid as antioxidant and moisturizing active in alkyl polyglucoside-based topical emulsions: the colloidal structure, stability and efficacy evaluation , url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22691034 , journal=International Journal of Cosmetic Science , volume=34 , issue=5 , pages=424–434 , doi=10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00732.x , issn=1468-2494 , pmid=22691034, s2cid=2854711 and in the pharmaceutical industry as an excipient for

formulation Formulation is a term used in various senses in various applications, both the material and the abstract or formal. Its fundamental meaning is the putting together of components in appropriate relationships or structures, according to a formul ...

. For example, the antibiotic

erythromycin Erythromycin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections. This includes respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and syphilis. It may also be used duri ...

is used as the salt erythromycin lactobionate when intravenously delivered.

References

Disaccharides Sugar acids Vicinal diols Alpha hydroxy acids