Biospherics Incorporated

Thomas J Wajda, Jr

James R Beadle

James P Saunders

A process is disclosed for the synthesis of D-tagatose by isomerizing a mixture containing D-galactose with a metal hydroxide in the presence of a catalyst at a relatively low temperature to form an intermediate metal hydroxide-D-tagatose complex, and then neutralizing the intermediate with acid to yield D-tagatose. The method is also suitable for the synthesis of L-tagatose from L-galactose, and for the recovery of pure tagatose from crude tagatose syrups. Whey, deproteinized whey, or lactose may be used as the raw material for the D-galactose. The lactose in such cases is hydrolyzed to D-galactose and D-glucose before the isomerization step.

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Columbia, MD, United States of America

Thomas J Wajda, Jr