Description
Trehalose — Bioprotective Disaccharide & Stabilizing Agent
Trehalose (α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-α-D-glucopyranoside) is a nonreducing disaccharide composed of two glucose units joined by a 1,1-α bond. It is widely used in biochemical, biotechnological, and cell biology applications as a stabilizer, osmolyte, cryoprotectant, and protein protectant. Trehalose is known for its remarkable ability to protect biomolecules, cells, and tissues against stressors like dehydration, freezing, oxidation, and heat.
Key Features & Advantages
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Nonreducing sugar — It does not react with proteins (e.g. via Maillard glycation), making it safer for preserving biomolecules.
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Protein & enzyme stabilization — Helps maintain folding, prevent aggregation, and increase shelf stability of enzymes, antibodies, and proteins during stress or storage.
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Cryoprotection & lyoprotection — Widely used in freezing or lyophilization formulations to protect cells, tissues, or molecules from damage during freeze/thaw or drying processes.
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Osmolyte / chemical chaperone — Trehalose acts as an osmoprotectant (balancing osmotic stress) and helps stabilize macromolecular structures in harsh conditions.
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Low reactivity & high water affinity — It forms hydrogen-bond networks and slows bulk water dynamics, contributing to biostability of surrounding molecules.
Suggested Applications & Usage Notes
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Formulation / Stabilization — Include trehalose in buffers, storage solutions, or lyophilization matrices to protect proteins, vaccines, liposomes, or nanoparticles.
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Cryopreservation — Use as an additive in cell freezing media to reduce ice damage and improve viability post-thaw.
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Freeze-drying / lyophilization — Employ as a lyoprotectant to maintain structural integrity of biomolecules during drying and rehydration.
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Stress & stability testing — Useful in experiments testing the effect of dehydration, temperature shifts, or oxidation on biopolymers or cells.
Practical Tips:
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Prepare fresh stocks in water or compatible buffer; filter-sterilize if needed.
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Typical working concentrations vary, but 0.1 M to 1 M ranges are common in stabilization protocols (optimize per system).
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Because trehalose is fairly soluble but may crystallize at high concentrations, warm gently or stir to dissolve fully.
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Monitor pH and ionic strength when formulating with other excipients, as trehalose is relatively inert but increases osmolality.
PubChem Chemical ID: 24802548
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