Trehalose

Description

Plants and animals use trehalose for energy and to stabilize themselves against extreme conditions. Mushrooms, honey, yeast, lobster, and shrimp are sources of trehalose in the human diet. Recent studies on mouse models indicate that trehalose might reduce the symptoms of Huntington''s disease.

Chemical properties

white to off-white crystalline powder

Chemical properties

Trehalose occurs as virtually odorless, white or almost white crystals with a sweet taste (approximately 45% of the sweetness of sucrose).

The Uses of Trehalose

trehalose is a humectant and moisturizer, it helps bind water in the skin and increase the skin’s moisture content. It is a naturally occurring plant sugar.

The Uses of Trehalose

D-(+)-Trehalose can be used for the effects of sucrose on blood avidity in mosquitoes.

What are the applications of Application

D-(+)-Trehalose Anhydrous is formed by the bonding of two reducing aldehyde groups

Definition

ChEBI: A trehalose in which both glucose residues have alpha-configuration at the anomeric carbon.

Production Methods

Trehalose is prepared from liquefied starch by a multistep enzymatic process. The commercial product is the dihydrate.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Pharmaceutical Applications

Trehalose is used for the lyoprotection of therapeutic proteins, particularly for parenteral administration. Other pharmaceutically relevant applications include use as an excipient for diagnostic assay tablets; for stabilization during the freeze–thaw and lyophilization of liposomes; and for stabilization of blood cells, cosmetics, and monoclonal antibodies. Trehalose may also be used in formulations for topical application.

Safety

Trehalose is used in cosmetics, foods, and parenteral and nonparenteral pharmaceutical formulations. It is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material when used as an excipient.
In the gut, trehalose is rapidly metabolized to glucose by the specific enzyme trehalase. A small minority of the population exhibits a primary (hereditary) or secondary (acquired) trehalase deficiency and thus may experience intestinal discomfort after ingestion of excessive amounts of trehalose owing to the osmotic activity of undigested trehalose in the gut. However, smaller amounts of trehalose are tolerated by such individuals without any symptoms.
Trehalose is used as a sweetener and is reported to have substantially less cariogenic potential than sucrose.
LD50 (dog, IV): >1 g/kg
LD50 (dog, oral): >5 g/kg
LD50 (mouse, IV): >1 g/kg
LD50 (mouse, oral): >5 g/kg
LD50 (rat, IV): >1 g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): >5 g/kg

storage

Trehalose is a relatively stable material. At 60°C for 5 hours it loses not more than 1.5% w/w of water (the dihydrate water of crystallization is retained). Open stored powder may liquefy at high relative humidity (≥90%).
Trehalose should be stored in a cool, dry place in a well-sealed container.

Incompatibilities

Trehalose is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, especially in the presence of heat.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. In the UK trehalose may be used in certain food applications. Included in parenteral and nonparenteral investigational formulations.