The effectiveness of the brand name Lactaid versus CVS dairy relief brand in breaking down lactose in whole milk.
Methods and Materials
The following protocol was implemented in order to indirectly measure glucose levels after the brand name “Lactaid” or “CVS” store brand lactase was added to a sample of 100 % whole milk. Milligrams per deciliter of glucose is the dependent variable, independent variable include Lactaid caplets versus CVS pharmacy brand caplets. 100 % whole milk, amount of milk and temperature were used for control variables. Materials necessary for this experiment were a glucose sensing device not to be confused with a diabetic glucometer, glucose liquid test strips, wall thermometer, three oral thermometers, original strength Lactaid-120 caplets-3000 FCC lactase units, original strength CVS Dairy relief-120 caplets, 3000 FCC lactase units and three 200 ml beakers. Some items were borrowed from the school laboratory and others were purchased from a “CVS” pharmacy. The milk was kept refrigerated prior to testing. Three beakers contained 150 mL of 100 % whole pasteurized milk. Prior to adding the store brand lactase and Lactaid enzymes, the milk was allowed to reach room temperature by setting the milk on a table for thirty minutes. Room temperature was approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the air did not feel hot nor cold. The temperature was taken at the time the milk was poured and again at the 30 minute mark. Thermometers were cleaned using dish soap and tap water between temperature readings. After the second temperature reading, a “Lactaid” caplet was placed in one beaker labeled “A”, one “CVS” store name brand caplet was placed in beaker “B” and nothing was added to beaker C. The tester dropped each caplet into the milk samples at the same time and a timer was started at the thirty minute mark. Fifteen minutes after the medication was dropped in the samples, the glucose reading was checked by placing a test strip into the milk samples for two full seconds following stirring the milk with a spoon for five rotations. This was repeated at the one hour mark for a final reading. The glucose reading was noted for each sample. An initial glucose reading was taken to ensure the milk was not previously broken down for some unknown reason, a second reading was taken to indicate if the lactase broke down the lactose into glucose and galactose, specifically testing for the presence of glucose and a final reading was taken to evaluate further break down for a total working time of 30 minutes post addition of the enzyme to the milk samples. Upon successful break down of lactose, there should be a spike in the glucose reading using the glucose sensing device. Four lab assistants were pivotal to the implementation of the experiment. Each milk sample had a designated assistant in charge of checking the milk sample temperatures and glucose readings. This experiment was replicated three times using the same protocol on 10-01-15, 10-02-15 and 10-03-15. Experiments started at the same time of day and were administered by the same testing group. Parameters used are listed in Table 1, 2 and 3.
Statistical Analysis
Data was analyzed using Excel Data Analysis Tool Pack.

Table 1-Glucose mg/dl concentration post enzyme administration round 1 Milk Samples | Lactase Tested | Initial Glucose Reading30 min mark | Second Glucose Reading45 minute mark | Final Glucose ReadingOne hour mark | Beaker A, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | “Lactaid” Brand name lactase1 caplet | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl | Beaker B, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | “CVS” Pharmacy brand lactase1 caplet | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl | Beaker C, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | Nothing added | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl |
Table 2-Glucose mg/dl concentration post enzyme administration round 2 Milk Samples | Lactase Tested | Initial Glucose Reading30 min mark | Second Glucose Reading45 minute mark | Final Glucose ReadingOne hour mark | Beaker A, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | “Lactaid” Brand name lactase1 caplet | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl | Beaker B, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | “CVS” Pharmacy brand lactase1 caplet | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl | Beaker C, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | Nothing added | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl |
Table 3-Glucose mg/dl concentration post enzyme administration round 3 Milk Samples | Lactase Tested | Initial Glucose Reading30 min mark | Second Glucose Reading45 minute mark | Final Glucose ReadingOne hour mark | Beaker A, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | “Lactaid” Brand name lactase1 caplet | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl | Beaker B, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | “CVS” Pharmacy brand lactase1 caplet | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl | Beaker C, 150 mL whole milk-pasteurized | Nothing added | mg/dl | mg/dl | mg/dl |