Lactitol-13C6 (CAS 585-86-4 (unlabeled))

Lactitol-13C6 is an isotopically labeled form of lactitol, a sugar alcohol derived from lactose, where all six carbon atoms have been labeled with carbon-13 (13C). This specialized labeling enhances its utility as a tracer in metabolic studies, particularly in the field of microbial metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. Lactitol, inherently resistant to digestion by human enzymes, reaches the colon largely unchanged, where it serves as a substrate for fermentation by colonic bacteria. The use of Lactitol-13C6 allows researchers to trace and analyze the metabolic pathways through which gut microbiota process lactitol, providing insights into the production of short-chain fatty acids and gases, crucial for understanding microbial contributions to the colon ecosystem. Moreover, this isotopic labeling facilitates the study of lactitol′s impact on the gut microbiome, including shifts in bacterial populations and their metabolic activities. Studies involving Lactitol-13C6 are particularly significant for researching the dynamics of bacterial metabolism without the interference from the host′s metabolism, offering a clearer view of how dietary substances such as sugar alcohols influence gut health and microbial composition. This research is critical for advancing knowledge in nutritional science, especially concerning dietary components that modulate microbial activities within the human gut.