DESCRIPTION

d-Tagatose occurs as a white crystal or powder. It is a stereoisomer of d-fructose. d-Tagatose is manufactured from food-grade lactose by a two-step process involving enzymatic hydrolysis (immobilized Aspergillus oryzae lactase) to d-galactose, followed by chemical isomerization of d-galactose to d-tagatose (induced by calcium hydroxide) and crystallization. It is readily soluble in water and very slightly soluble in ethanol.