BETA-GALACTOSIDASE ENTRAPMENT IN SILICA GEL MATRICES FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

In this work we present a preliminary study directed to the realization of a new pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of lactose intolerance. The main aim of the work is to increase the stability of -galactosidase in order to prolong its activity in the course of time, thus improving its performance as dietary supplement in the digestion of lactose. We describe a reliable and effective procedure for the immobilization of-galactosidase in a threedimensional silica network. A one-step approach was optimized by using the sol–gel method to obtain homogeneous and stable-galactosidase/silica gel composites; the textural properties of the porous surface were characterized by N2 physisorption analyses. The activity of b-galactosidase was evaluated invitro in the hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl--d-galactopyranoside (used instead of lactose) at pH 7.4 and 37◦C, thus reproducing the conditions of the human intestine.