Question

Adults who are lactose intolerant cannot break down the disaccharide in milk products. To help digest dairy food, a product known as Lactaid can be added to milk and the milk then refrigerated for $24$hours?

a. What enzyme is present in Lactaid, and what is the major class of this enzyme?

b. What might happen to the enzyme if the Lactaid were stored at ${55}^{\circ }C$?

Short answer

(Part a) Lactase is an enzyme found in Lactaid. Lactase's function is to degrade glucose and galactose.

(Part b) The lactase enzyme becomes inactive when lactide is stored at${55}^{\circ }C.$

Step-by-step solution

Introduction (Part a).

Lactose, the most abundant disaccharide in milk, is catabolized in to other glucose and galactose by the enzyme lactase.

Given Information (part a).

Adults who are lactose intolerant are unable to digest the disaccharide found in milk products. Lactaid, a product that aids in the digestion of dairy digestion, can be mixed into milk and refrigerated for $24$hours.

Explain the enzyme found in Lactaid and the major class of this enzyme.

Explanation (part a).

Lactase is an enzyme found in Lactaid. Lactase is an enzyme that degrades glucose and galactose. Lactase is required for the hydrolysis of lactose in milk during digestion.

Lactase intolerance results from a lack of lactase.

Given Information (part b).

Adults who are lactose intolerant are unable to digest the disaccharide found in milk products. Lactaid, a product that aids in the digestion of dairy foods, can be added to milk and refrigerated for $24$hours.

Explanation (part b).

The lactase enzyme becomes inactive when lactide is stored at ${55}^{\circ }C.$ The optimal temperature for lactase enzymatic action is ${25}^{\circ }C$, and the $pH$ is $6.$ At high temperatures, the shape of the proteins is destroyed, resulting in a loss of activity.