β‐Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger in adult lactose malabsorption: a double‐blind crossover study

Abstract

An assessment was made of the efficacy of a P-galactosidase, obtained from Aspergillus niger and added to intact milk, in decreasing lactose malabsorption and intolerance. Sixteen adult patients with malabsorption and intolerance to this sugar were studied in a double-blind crossover study us. placebo. A 5-hour hydrogen breath test was used to assess malabsorption of lactose contained in 400 ml milk. When compared with placebo, the addition of exogenous lactase to intact milk caused a statistically significant reduction in the maximum breath H, concentration (P < 0.01) and in the cumulative H, excretion (P < 0.005). In the same way, the cumulative index for gastrointestinal intolerance was significantly lower (P < 0.005) after the ingestion of lactase-added milk. This study demonstrates that enzyme replacement therapy, with P-galactosidases obtained from Aspergillus niger, is effective in decreasing lactose malabsorption and its consequent intolerance in adult subjects with lactase deficiency.

Effects of Exogenous Lactase Administration on Hydrogen Breath Excretion and Intestinal Symptoms in Patients Presenting Lactose Malabsorption and Intolerance

“…Several treatment approaches have been proposed over the last few years [3], namely, addition of exogenous lactase to intact milk [4, 5], low-lactose milk [6], yogurt, and probiotics, due to their bacterial lactase activity [7–9] and pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies that can prolong the contact time between enzyme and substrate delaying gastrointestinal (GI) transit time [10] and lactose administration for colonic adaptation [11]. Enzyme-replacement treatment with microbial exogenous lactase (obtained from yeasts or fungi) represents a possible strategy for primary lactase deficiency.…”

Beneficial effects of oral tilactase on patients with hypolactasia

“…In previous studies, milk was pre‐hydrolysed by β‐galactosidase obtained by K. lactis [8] and the effect on maximum H 2 concentration and cumulative H 2 excretion was better than that from Aspergillus niger [17,51]. β‐ d ‐galactosidase from A. oryzae was also effective in children when added to milk [52].…”

“…Variable results, however, might depend not only on different enzyme preparations but also on timing in adding the enzymes to the milk (e.g. mealtime or hours before the meal) as well as on the different doses employed [17,19,51,53].…”

Recent advances on lactose intolerance: Tolerance thresholds and currently available answers

“…To hydrolyse lactose, preparations can be added to milk in solid or liquid forms prior to consumption. Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of this type of preparations (Payne et al, 1981;Rosado et al, 1984Rosado et al, , 1986Solomons et al, 1985;Barillas and Solomons, 1987;Corazza et al, 1992;Montalto et al, 2005). While the efficacy of exogenous lactase in both reducing exhaled H 2 and overall lactose intolerance symptoms has largely been demonstrated, the exact efficiency rate is somehow discordant, certainly owing to protocol discrepancies.…”