Trehalase deficiency. Prevalence and relation to single-cell protein food

Perspectives in nutrition suggest a greater use of single-cell proteins in the future. The problems of a high purine content and of potential allergens have been solved by technology. The single-cell proteins may contain trehalose, the absorption of which by the human intestine necessitates prior hydrolysis by trehalase, a specific brush-border disaccharidase. The enzymatic analysis of 100 intestinal biopsies discovered 2 cases of very low trehalase level, with an expected clinical intolerance to even small doses of trehalose. It is concluded that tolerance to high doses of trehalose should be excellent in about 98% of healthy people.