Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Rapid One-step Enzymatic Synthesis and All-aqueous Purification of Trehalose Analogues
Published on: February 17, 2017
Biotechnical production of trehalose through the trehalose synthase pathway: current status and future prospects
Xue Cai1,2, Ines Seitl2, Wanmeng Mu1
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
Abstract:
Trehalose (α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 1)-α-D-glucopyranoside) is a non-reducing disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules linked by an α,α-1,1-glycosidic bond. It possesses physicochemical properties, which account for its biological roles in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and invertebrates. Intensive studies of trehalose gradually uncovered its functions, and its applications in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals have increased every year. Currently, trehalose is industrially produced by the two-enzyme method, which was first developed in 1995 using maltooligosyltrehalose synthase (EC 5.4.99.15) and subsequently using maltooligosyltrehalose trehalohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.141), with starch as the substrate. This biotechnical method has lowered the price of trehalose and expanded its applications. However, when trehalose synthase (EC 5.4.99.16) was later discovered, this method for trehalose production using maltose as the substrate soon became a popular topic because of its simplicity and potential in industrial production. Since then, many trehalose synthases have been studied. This review summarizes the sources and characteristics of reported trehalose synthases, and the most recent advances on structural analysis of trehalose synthase, catalytic mechanism, molecular modification, and usage in industrial production processes.
Related Concept Videos
ATP Synthase: Structure
ATP Synthase: Mechanism
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
Electrical Current
Other Glycolytic Pathways

