SPRAYLAC™ – (LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE)

When a highly concentrated lactose solution is spray dried, a glassy, amorphous lactose mass is obtained. This amorphous mass contains both α- and β-lactose, the ratio being approximately the same as the equilibrium ratio of the original lactose solution. Lactose glass is very hygroscopic. Although dry lactose glass can appear very hard, it lacks the brittleness of crystalline α-lactose monohydrate and anhydrous lactose. The material is plastically deformable under high pressure.

The spray dried product consists of a matrix of lactose glass in which lactose monohydrate crystals are embedded. A typical ratio crystalline/amorphous lactose is around 85/15.