tagatose

Tagatose is a sweetener based on its properties as a monosaccharide, specifically a hexose.

D-Tagatose (D-(-)-Tagatose), a rare natural hexoketose and isomer of D-galactose, occurs naturally in Sterculia setigera gum and is found in small quantities in various foods such as sterilized and powdered cow's milk, hot cocoa, and various cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy products. It can be synthesized from D-galactose by isomerization under alkaline conditions in the presence of calcium. D-Tagatose has numerous health benefits, including promotion of weight loss, no glycemic effect, anti-plaque, non-cariogenic, anti-halitosis, prebiotic, and anti-biofilm properties; it is beneficial for organ transplants, enhancement of flavor, improvement of pregnancy and fetal development, treatment of obesity, and reduction in symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, anemia, and hemophilia. (PMID: 17492284).

L-Tagatose is a biochemical reagent that can be used as a biomaterial for life science related research and as a sulfonylation reagent for organic synthesis and drug discovery.