The Effect of Lactase on Glucose Concentration of Milk

This experiment tested the effect of lactase on glucose concentration of milk. Lactase breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose, which means that the overall glucose concentration in milk should increase. People suffering from lactose intolerance are at more risk of high glucose levels than the average person because of what lactase does. A person who has high glucose levels could be at risk of diseases such as galactose malabsorption or galactosemia.

To test the difference in glucose levels before and after lactase is added, the researchers used glucose strips. The glucose concentration was measured before lactase was added, and this was used as a constant to compare the concentration after the lactase was added. The lactase pill was crushed and stirred into the measured amount of milk for 30 seconds. The milk was then left to sit with the lactase for 2 minutes in order to make an evident difference in the levels. For 3 seconds, the glucose strip was inserted into the milk after precisely 2 minutes. The glucose strips need 30 seconds to react and then are matched up against a color code on the side of the bottle. The value the color was closest to was recorded, then repeated 29 more times. After all data was collected, it was analyzed using a one sample t-test. The p-values strongly suggested that there was a difference in the glucose levels before and after lactase was added. The researchers accepted their hypothesis and concluded that lactase did in fact increase the glucose concentration in milk.

Research Conducted By:

Martin Jabboury
Center Line High School

Hunter Montrose
Lake Shore High School

 

 

 

X