Description
Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide in which the two glucose molecules are linked together in an α,α-1,1-glycosidic linkage. α,α-trehalose is the only anomer of trehalose, which has been isolated from and biosynthesized in living organisms. This sugar is present in a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, insects, invertebrates, and lower and higher plants, where it may serve as a source of energy and carbon. It can be used as a stabilizer and protectant of proteins and membranes: protection from dehydration; protection from damage by oxygen radicals (against oxidation); protection from cold; as a sensing compound and/or growth regulator; as a structural component of the bacterial cell wall. Trehalose is used in the biopharmaceutical preservation of labile protein drugs and in the cryopreservation of human cells. It is used as an ingredient for dried and processed food, and as an artificial sweetener, with a relative sweetness of 40-45% that of sucrose. Several safety studies on trehalose have been evaluated by JECFA, 2001 and allocated an ADI of ‘not specified’. Trehalose is approved in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and UK. Trehalose could be possibly used in an eye drop solution to against corneal damage due to desiccation (dry eye syndrome).
References
[1] Alan D. Elbein, Y.T. Pan, Irena Pastuszak, David Carroll (2003): New insights on trehalose: a multifunctional molecule, 13, 17R-27R.
[2] A.B Richards, S Krakowka, L.B Dexter, H Schmid, A.P.M Wolterbeek, D.H Waalkens-Berendsen, A Shigoyuki, M Kurimoto (2002): Trehalose: a review of properties, history of use and human tolerance, and results of multiple safety studies, 40, 871-898.
[3] Alex Patist, Hans Zoerb (2005): Preservation mechnisams of trehalose in food and Biosystems, 40, 107-113.
[4] Sanchari Chattopadhyay, Utpal Raychaudhuri, Runu Chakraborty (2014): Artificial sweeteners – a review, 51, 611-621.
[5] http://www.life-enhancement.com/magazine/article/2453-trehalose-for-dry-eyes
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).
Uses
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.
Uses
D-(+)-Trehalose can be used for the effects of sucrose on blood avidity in mosquitoes.
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.
