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Abstract

A high yield, low cost process for the preparation of essentially calcium-free lactobionic acid from calcium lactobionate is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a series of ion-exchange resins are used to convert a solution of the relatively inexpensive calcium lactobionate to its acid form. Accordingly, a pure lactobionic acid solution with negligible amounts of impurities may be obtained. The lactobionic acid solution is subjected to crystallization via rotary evaporation with heating, followed by vacuum drying without heat. This process can be used to generate higher product yields than conventional production and crystallization methods. At higher concentrations of lactobionic acid, however, the solution behaves differently, forming a glass-like structure that retains a substantial amount of water. An optimized procedure is disclosed which overcomes the difficulties associated with high concentrations of lactobionic acid, enabling production of large quantities of pure lactobionic acid crystals at a relatively low cost.

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First Claim