**5. Applications of lactitol**

#### **5.1 Cryoprotectant and dryoprotectant**

Lactitol is a polyol having the ability of preventing physical and chemical degradation of protein preparations during frozen and drying. The effectiveness of lactitol as a cryoprotectant agent was demonstrated in fish muscle (rainbow trout), where lactitol preserved the structure of myofibrillar proteins [41]. Interestingly, lactitol influenced the kinetic of formation of hydrophobic residues in the surface of proteins. Similarly, Nopianti et al. [42] added lactitol to prevent protein denaturation of threadfin bream surimi during 6 months of frozen storage. A formulation made of 6% of lactitol resulted in protective effect comparable with that obtained for polydextrose and sorbitol. Ramadhan et al. [43] cryoprotected duck surimi by the addition of lactitol. More importantly, the studied by Ramadhan et al. [43] showed a protective effect after five cycles of freeze-thaw during 4-month of frozen storage.

Lactitol can form glassy matrices within the protein structure that immobilizes the system and preventing unfolding. Moreover, lactitol may form hydrogen bonds with the surrounding protein, helping the preservation the enzymes. Such mechanisms have been validated during the drying of protein preparations. Kadoya et al. [44] freeze-dried a solution of L-lactic deydrogenase and bovine serum albumin using lactitol monohydrate as a cryoprotective agent. Microscopic observation indicated the formation of hydrogen bonds that substitute water molecules, and maintaining the activity of L-lactic dehydrogenase. This is an important observation showing the protective effect of lactitol in pharmaceutical applications that helps to minimize product immunogenicity.

The preservation of archeological artifacts has benefited from the protective effect of lactitol. The stability of archeological wood was performed by the impregnation of lactitol prior to freeze-drying. It was showed that the impregnation of lactitol resulted in higher hygroscopicity compared with polyethylene glycol impregnation [45]. Babiński [46] treated waterlogged archeological oak with lactitol, and evaluated changes in dimensions and moisture content. Lactitol reduced the wood shrinkage after freeze-dried by replacing water molecules and fill the cell walls.

#### **5.2 Surfactant and hydrogel**

The structure of lactitol confers higher chemically stability than lactose and sucrose. Lactitol stability is due to the absence of the carbonyl group, resulting stability over a broad range of pH (3–9). Moreover, lactitol is not a reducing sugar (absence of carbonyl group) which does not participate in the Maillard reactions. Such properties of lactitol offer potential for non-conventional applications, such

**45**

**5.3 Bakery**

*Hundred Years of Lactitol: From Hydrogenation to Food Ingredient*

as surfactants, emulsifiers, and hydrogels. Indeed, Van Velthuijsen [47] produced a non-ionic emulsifier made of lactitol via esterification of palmitic acid under alkaline conditions. Lactitol esters displayed relevant detergent activity by removing soil and stains from towels. Dupuy et al. [48] determined the micellization of lactitol-based surfactants in water. It was found that lactitol surfactants were barely dispersed at low concentrations, and the formation of micelles was due to their stearic hindrance. Drummond and Wells [49] produced mono-esters of lactitol with chain lengths from C8 to C16—octyl, dodecyl, and hexadecyl. The interfacial tension of such surfactants was determined by putting them in contact with hexadecane and triolein. The chain of the surfactant minimally reduced the interfacial tension than their shorter chain counterpart. Surfactants made of lactitol displayed the tendency to foaming over 30 min. This is an important observation indicating the great potential of lactitol based surfactants to be used as emulsifiers. It is worth to mention that surfactants made of lactitol have not been produced commercially. Disaccharides from renewable sources can be used as building blocks for the synthesis of polymers and hydrogels. Wilson et al. [50] produced polyether polyols via lactitol propoxylation at alkaline environment. Lactitol polyether polyols showed similar viscosity and hygroscopicity than their counterpart sucrose-based polyols of the same hydroxyl number. Moreover, the decomposition of lactitol polyols was negligible. Wilson et al. [50] prepared rigid polyurethane foams from lactitol polyether polyols. Lactitol based foams showed physical properties comparable to that of the commercial foams. Hu et al. [51] hydrogenated sweet whey permeates and synthesized polyurethane foams by propoxylation of lactitol slurry. The lactitol foams were showed low-density, strong mechanical properties, and thermal stability. Lin et al. [52] controlled the propoxylation of lactitol to produce polyether polyols with nine polypropylene oxide branches. Such lactitol polyether polyols were used to prepare hydrogel via acylated polyethylene glycol bis carboxymethyl ether. Lactitol hydrogels absorbed water up to 1000% of their dry weight. Remarkably, these hydrogels expelled free water at a temperature above 30°C.

Lactitol can be seeing as building block compound to design delivery systems for bioactive compounds. Already, Han et al. [53] prepared poly(ether polyol) hydrogel from lactitol, and it was showed ability of delivering acetylsalicylic acid over a pH range of 4–9. More importantly, the release was controlled by the amount crosslinking of the hydrogel. Han et al. [53] used lactitol cross-linked hydrogel to incorporate protein for controlled release of the protein into the surrounding fluid. It was found that the release of β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, and γ-globulin was constant over 2 h in a temperature range of 37–45°C. Constant release at such temperature range approaches the human body temperature, suggesting the use of lactitol based delivery system for clinical applications. Chacon et al. [54] prepared hydrogels of lactitol having swelling capacity up to 81-fold. The length of polypropylene oxide branches and the extent of crosslinking controlled the swelling capacity of the hydrogels. Chacon et al. [54] added a lipase within the lactitol hydrogel for temperature-controlled release. About 90% of the enzyme was released into the medium within the first 60 min at temperatures between 25 to 40°C. The development of drug delivery systems used lactitol as a target group [55], where the carrier

Sugar reduction and replacing in bakery formulations has not been a trivial task in the past. This is because sugar not only provides a pleasant taste but also plays a critical role in the development of the quality characteristics of the batter or dough. Psimouli and Oreopoulou [56] replaced sugar with lactitol in equal amount for

is incorporated in liposomes for treatment of liver disease.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93365*

#### *Hundred Years of Lactitol: From Hydrogenation to Food Ingredient DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93365*

*Lactose and Lactose Derivatives*

**5. Applications of lactitol**

**5.1 Cryoprotectant and dryoprotectant**

helps to minimize product immunogenicity.

**5.2 Surfactant and hydrogel**

of the salivary flow, providing a buffer capacity that washes away soluble carbohydrates. However, there is no consensus regarding the minimal dose required to reduce caries. Nevertheless, van Loveren [38] suggested that chewing of sugar-free

Lactitol is frequently prescribed as a laxative agent for the treatment of chronic constipation [39]. As a laxative agent, lactitol is minimally absorbed in the small intestine, and when it reaches the large intestine, it creates an osmotic gradient that increases the water retention in the stool, enhancing its passage. Miller et al. [40] performed a meta-analysis on the efficacy and tolerance of lactitol for adult constipation. It was found that lactitol supplementation was not only well tolerated but

Lactitol is a polyol having the ability of preventing physical and chemical degradation of protein preparations during frozen and drying. The effectiveness of lactitol as a cryoprotectant agent was demonstrated in fish muscle (rainbow trout), where lactitol preserved the structure of myofibrillar proteins [41]. Interestingly, lactitol influenced the kinetic of formation of hydrophobic residues in the surface of proteins. Similarly, Nopianti et al. [42] added lactitol to prevent protein denaturation of threadfin bream surimi during 6 months of frozen storage. A formulation made of 6% of lactitol resulted in protective effect comparable with that obtained for polydextrose and sorbitol. Ramadhan et al. [43] cryoprotected duck surimi by the addition of lactitol. More importantly, the studied by Ramadhan et al. [43] showed a protective effect after five cycles of freeze-thaw during 4-month of frozen storage. Lactitol can form glassy matrices within the protein structure that immobilizes the system and preventing unfolding. Moreover, lactitol may form hydrogen bonds with the surrounding protein, helping the preservation the enzymes. Such mechanisms have been validated during the drying of protein preparations. Kadoya et al. [44] freeze-dried a solution of L-lactic deydrogenase and bovine serum albumin using lactitol monohydrate as a cryoprotective agent. Microscopic observation indicated the formation of hydrogen bonds that substitute water molecules, and maintaining the activity of L-lactic dehydrogenase. This is an important observation showing the protective effect of lactitol in pharmaceutical applications that

The preservation of archeological artifacts has benefited from the protective effect of lactitol. The stability of archeological wood was performed by the impregnation of lactitol prior to freeze-drying. It was showed that the impregnation of lactitol resulted in higher hygroscopicity compared with polyethylene glycol impregnation [45]. Babiński [46] treated waterlogged archeological oak with lactitol, and evaluated changes in dimensions and moisture content. Lactitol reduced the wood shrinkage after freeze-dried by replacing water molecules and fill the cell walls.

The structure of lactitol confers higher chemically stability than lactose and sucrose. Lactitol stability is due to the absence of the carbonyl group, resulting stability over a broad range of pH (3–9). Moreover, lactitol is not a reducing sugar (absence of carbonyl group) which does not participate in the Maillard reactions. Such properties of lactitol offer potential for non-conventional applications, such

chewing gum at least 3 times per day may reduce caries incidence.

also significantly improved symptoms of constipation.

**44**

as surfactants, emulsifiers, and hydrogels. Indeed, Van Velthuijsen [47] produced a non-ionic emulsifier made of lactitol via esterification of palmitic acid under alkaline conditions. Lactitol esters displayed relevant detergent activity by removing soil and stains from towels. Dupuy et al. [48] determined the micellization of lactitol-based surfactants in water. It was found that lactitol surfactants were barely dispersed at low concentrations, and the formation of micelles was due to their stearic hindrance. Drummond and Wells [49] produced mono-esters of lactitol with chain lengths from C8 to C16—octyl, dodecyl, and hexadecyl. The interfacial tension of such surfactants was determined by putting them in contact with hexadecane and triolein. The chain of the surfactant minimally reduced the interfacial tension than their shorter chain counterpart. Surfactants made of lactitol displayed the tendency to foaming over 30 min. This is an important observation indicating the great potential of lactitol based surfactants to be used as emulsifiers. It is worth to mention that surfactants made of lactitol have not been produced commercially.

Disaccharides from renewable sources can be used as building blocks for the synthesis of polymers and hydrogels. Wilson et al. [50] produced polyether polyols via lactitol propoxylation at alkaline environment. Lactitol polyether polyols showed similar viscosity and hygroscopicity than their counterpart sucrose-based polyols of the same hydroxyl number. Moreover, the decomposition of lactitol polyols was negligible. Wilson et al. [50] prepared rigid polyurethane foams from lactitol polyether polyols. Lactitol based foams showed physical properties comparable to that of the commercial foams. Hu et al. [51] hydrogenated sweet whey permeates and synthesized polyurethane foams by propoxylation of lactitol slurry. The lactitol foams were showed low-density, strong mechanical properties, and thermal stability. Lin et al. [52] controlled the propoxylation of lactitol to produce polyether polyols with nine polypropylene oxide branches. Such lactitol polyether polyols were used to prepare hydrogel via acylated polyethylene glycol bis carboxymethyl ether. Lactitol hydrogels absorbed water up to 1000% of their dry weight. Remarkably, these hydrogels expelled free water at a temperature above 30°C.

Lactitol can be seeing as building block compound to design delivery systems for bioactive compounds. Already, Han et al. [53] prepared poly(ether polyol) hydrogel from lactitol, and it was showed ability of delivering acetylsalicylic acid over a pH range of 4–9. More importantly, the release was controlled by the amount crosslinking of the hydrogel. Han et al. [53] used lactitol cross-linked hydrogel to incorporate protein for controlled release of the protein into the surrounding fluid. It was found that the release of β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, and γ-globulin was constant over 2 h in a temperature range of 37–45°C. Constant release at such temperature range approaches the human body temperature, suggesting the use of lactitol based delivery system for clinical applications. Chacon et al. [54] prepared hydrogels of lactitol having swelling capacity up to 81-fold. The length of polypropylene oxide branches and the extent of crosslinking controlled the swelling capacity of the hydrogels. Chacon et al. [54] added a lipase within the lactitol hydrogel for temperature-controlled release. About 90% of the enzyme was released into the medium within the first 60 min at temperatures between 25 to 40°C. The development of drug delivery systems used lactitol as a target group [55], where the carrier is incorporated in liposomes for treatment of liver disease.
