D-(+)-Trehalose dihydrate is a natural alpha-linked non –reducing disaccharide formed by an α,α-1,1-glucoside bond between two α-glucose units which yields 2 moles of D-glucose upon acid hydrolysis. Has 90% of the calorific content of sucrose. Inhibits polyglutamine-mediated protein aggregation both in vivo and in vitro. Oral administration of trehalose has been shown to effectively extend lifespan in a murine Huntington disease model. Also known to accumulate in osmotically-stressed cultured bacterial cells and protect against the adverse effects of dehydration .
Trehalose has also been used in several biopharmaceutical monoclonal antibody formulations. It is also used as a protein-stabilizing agent in research and as a cryoprotectant in a variety of cell freezing media.
Trehalose does not reduce Fehling's solution; it is fermented by yeast; it is not split by alpha-glucosidase; acid hydrolysis gives 2 mols D-glucose.