Biochem/physiol Actions

Maltose is a disaccharide containing two glucose molecules with an α(1→4) glycosidic linkage. Maltose can be derived from starch in food through the action of amylase. Maltose can be found in many food products, including beer, cereals, and pasta.

Purification Methods

Purify maltose by chromatography from aqueous solution on to a charcoal/Celite (1:1) column, wash it with water to remove glucose and other monosaccharides, then elute it with aqueous 75% EtOH. Crystallise it from water, aqueous EtOH or EtOH containing 1% nitric acid. Dry it as the monohydrate at room temperature under vacuum over H2SO4 or P2O5. Also purify it by dissolving it in MeOH, evaporating to a syrup which on standing for 12hours in contact with 1/10th its volume of H2O gives crystals of the monohydrate. Its iodine number is 55.5. The osazone has m 200o(dec) and [] D 20 +58o (c 1.4, H2O). [Howarth et al. J Chem Soc 793 1937, Beilstein 17 III/IV 3057, 17 V 189.]

General Description

Maltose monohydrate is commonly used as a tablet filler or excipient in pharmaceutical industry.Pharmaceutical secondary standards for application in quality control, provide pharma laboratories and manufacturers with a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the preparation of in-house working standards.