How to Measure pH in the Enzyme Lactase

Lactase is an enzyme made in the body that helps process lactose, which is found in dairy foods. A deficiency of this enzyme in the body causes a condition called lactose intolerance, whereby dairy is not digested properly. Lactase is able to function under a range of pH levels but may change pH levels in the stomach. To make sure there is no stomach upset due to lactase ingestion, one may want to measure the pH of lactase.

Things You'll Need

• pH test strip kit
• Liquid lactase

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase liquid lactase. To test for pH in lactase, one would need a pure form of liquid lactase. Liquid lactase often comes in a vial with a dropper cap and can be found in the vitamins and supplements aisle in grocery stores. Another place to look would be natural or health food stores. Their prices may be somewhat higher, but there is less risk of additives or unwanted chemicals.

• 2

  Purchase a pH test strip kit. These kits use litmus paper strips to tell the pH of a liquid by changing color moments after contact with the liquid. Newly formed color on the strip is then compared with a chart that has numerous pH levels designated by color and numbers. These kits can be purchased at hardware and department stores. Be sure to get a test kit that is used for liquids, not soil. Also look for strips of paper and a color chart included in the package.

• 3

  Read the instructions for using the test strips. These types of kits generally work the same way, but may have variations in techniques. Things to look for would be if the strips need to be submerged in the liquid and how long they take to give a reading.

• 4

  Open the liquid lactase container and apply to the paper as directed by the manufacturer. The strip will most likely be dipped into the solution for a few seconds and withdrawn.

• 5

  Read the pH level by comparing the color on the strip to the color and numbers on the chart that came with the kit. Anything under 7 is considered acidic, while anything over 7 is basic. The degrees of acidity go from red, being highly acidic, to blue, neutral, to purple, basic.