What is Lactose?
Lactose, commonly known as milk sugar, is a naturally occurring disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose, found exclusively in the milk of mammals. Commercially, Lactose is extracted and purified from whey, a by-product of cheese and casein manufacturing, resulting in a white, mildly sweet crystalline powder. It is one of the most widely used excipients in the pharmaceutical industry and a functional ingredient across numerous food applications.
Polychem Industries supplies Lactose in food grade and pharmaceutical grade to infant formula manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, bakery ingredient suppliers, and dairy product processors across India and internationally. Its mild sweetness, excellent compressibility as a tablet excipient, and functional properties in food make it a foundational ingredient across both the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Available Grades
| Grade | Form | Purity | Standard | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Grade | White crystalline powder | 99%+ (Pharma Grade) / 98%+ (Food Grade) | FSSAI / FCC | Infant formula, dairy products, bakery, confectionery |
| Pharma Grade | White crystalline powder | 99%+ | USP / BP / IP | Tablet excipient, capsule filler, inhalation powders |
Applications & Uses
Pharmaceutical Tablet Excipient
The largest application for Pharma Grade Lactose. It is the most widely used filler/binder excipient in tablet and capsule manufacturing due to its excellent compressibility, flow properties, and compatibility with a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Infant Formula
A primary carbohydrate source in infant formula, mirroring its natural presence in human breast milk. Lactose provides appropriate sweetness and energy content matched to infant nutritional requirements.
Dry Powder Inhalers
Used as a carrier excipient in dry powder inhaler formulations for asthma and COPD medications, where its particle size and flow properties are critical for accurate drug delivery to the lungs.
Bakery & Confectionery
Used in baked goods and confectionery for its mild sweetness, browning characteristics (through Maillard reaction), and moisture retention properties, contributing to flavour and texture in finished products.
Dairy & Processed Foods
Used in various processed dairy products and food formulations as a functional ingredient, contributing to texture, mouthfeel, and mild sweetness without significantly increasing overall product sweetness levels.
Nutritional & Dietary Supplements
Used as a filler and carrier in nutritional supplement tablets and powders, providing bulk and facilitating accurate dosing of active nutritional ingredients.
Technical Specifications
Lactose — Key Properties
Why Source Lactose from Polychem Industries?
- Food Grade and Pharma Grade available with full quality documentation
- Pharma Grade meets USP / BP / IP specifications for tablet manufacturing
- FSSAI compliant Food Grade supply with Certificate of Analysis
- Reliable bulk supply for pharmaceutical and infant formula manufacturers
- Competitive pricing with consistent year-round availability
- Export documentation experience for international shipments
