People with a lactose intolerance are able to take productssuch as Lactaid that

Question

People with a lactose intolerance are able to take productssuch as Lactaid that contain the lactase enzyme with their meals. These products can be taken in pill form. Consideringthe fact that the pill form of the enzyme would have to travelthrough the person's stomach, what special consideration would theproducer of this product need to be concerned about?

[I think it has something to do with the pH of the fluidscontained within the stomach.]

[I think it has something to do with the pH of the fluidscontained within the stomach.]

Explanation / Answer

In normal people the enzyme lactase is synthesised by cells ofthe small intestine.

As the pH of the intestine is alkaline the enzyme does not getdenatured.

But in those people who are lactose intolerant , the enzymelactase is not produced.

Thus they have to take the lactase tablets.

The main problem the producer would have to be concerned aboutis the activity of the enzyme.

The pH of the stomach is 1.5-2.

At this pH many enzymes are denatured.So the producer has tothink of a way to protect the enzyme lactase from the enzymes andpH of the stomach.

AS this enzyme has optimum activity at alkaline pH , theproducer has to think of a way to keep the tablet and the enzymesafe until it reaches the small intestine.

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