CHAPTER 31:Lactose in Milk and Dairy Products: A Focus on Biosensors

Lactose is the characteristic carbohydrate of milk and dairy products and its analysis is of high significance for the quality assurance in dairy industry. Furthermore, the measurement of lactose is especially relevant with medical purposes in the case of people suffering from lactose intolerance. Although the analysis of lactose in milk and dairy products is not new, there is a great demand for rapid, simple and economical analytical methodologies for lactose quantification. In this context, the biosensors technology offers exciting new possibilities taking into account the excellent analytical performance that this kind of versatile analytical devices can provide. This chapter is intended to critically review the role of biosensors designed for lactose determination.