It is a component of agar-agar, plant gum, mucilage and sugar such as raffinose, lactose and melisaccharide. Galactoside and galactoanhydride are found in snail protein gland, frog egg, brain nerve tissue and other animal materials. Free form occurs in milk. Combined with glucose to form lactose. Myxic acid is obtained by oxidation with nitric acid.
White crystal or crystalline powder, no special smell, soluble in water and pyridine, water solubility :680 g/L (25°C); Slightly soluble in glycerol and alcohol. Galactose is a monosaccharide consisting of six carbons and an aldehyde, classified as aldose and hexose. D-galactose and l-galactose occur naturally. D-galactose is commonly found in milk as a structural part of lactose. The lactose in milk is broken down by the body into glucose and the galactose is absorbed.
The CAS number: 59-23-4
Molecular formula: C6H12O6
Molecular weight: 180.16