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Is trehalose special for preserving dry biomaterials?
L M Crowe1, D S Reid, J H Crowe
1Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA. lmcrowe@ucdavis.edu
Biophysical Journal
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Simple sugars like trehalose stabilize biomaterials by forming a protective glass. This glass formation, along with direct sugar-biomolecule interaction, is crucial for preserving materials during drying processes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Simple sugars, particularly disaccharides, are known stabilizers for biomaterials during drying.
- Stabilization is thought to involve direct interactions between sugars and biomolecules (e.g., proteins, phospholipids) in the dry state.
- Alternative theories suggest sugar glass formation alone is sufficient for stabilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of trehalose glass formation and its properties in biomaterial stabilization.
- To present a state diagram for trehalose glass.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying trehalose's efficacy in preventing biomaterial degradation.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a state diagram for trehalose glass.
- Analysis of trehalose and trehalose:liposome preparations upon rehydration with water vapor.
- Assessment of glass transition temperatures at various water contents.
Main Results:
- Trehalose exhibits higher glass transition temperatures across all water contents compared to other sugars.
- Trehalose and trehalose:liposome preparations form both trehalose dihydrate and trehalose glass upon water vapor rehydration.
- The formation of trehalose dihydrate sequesters water, maintaining a high glass transition temperature above ambient levels.
Conclusions:
- Trehalose's effectiveness in biomaterial stabilization is linked to its high glass transition temperatures.
- The formation of trehalose dihydrate plays a key role in maintaining the glassy state at ambient temperatures.
- Preservation of the glassy state prevents liposome fusion and maintains biomaterial integrity.