Synthesis and Application of Trehalose Materials

Abstract

Trehalose is a naturally occurring, nonreducing disaccharide that is widely used in the biopharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its stabilizing and cryoprotective properties. Over the years, scientists have developed methodologies to synthesize linear polymers with trehalose units either in the polymer backbone or as pendant groups. These macromolecules provide unique properties and characteristics, which often outperform trehalose itself. Additionally, numerous reports have focused on the synthesis and formulation of materials based on trehalose, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and thermoset networks. Among many applications, these polymers and materials have been used as protein stabilizers, as gene delivery systems, and to prevent amyloid aggregate formation. In this Perspective, recent developments in the synthesis and application of trehalose-based linear polymers, hydrogels, and nanomaterials are discussed, with a focus on utilization in the biomedical field.

Lyophilization for Formulation Optimization of Drug-Loaded Thermoresponsive Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanogels from Functionalized Hyaluronic Acid

“…Then, by increasing the trehalose concentration, we saw that the particle size can be well-preserved (change factor in the range of 1–1.1) with at least 2% m/v trehalose ( Figure 2 C). To explain the cryoprotective mechanisms of these cryoprotectants, three theories have been described in the literature: vitrification, water replacement, and water entrapment or preferential exclusion ( Figure 3 ) [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…In the water replacement mechanism, saccharide molecules can replace water to maintain the hydrogen bonds on NG surfaces, thus keeping the NGs in a “pseudo-hydrated” state to avoid interference with their structure upon dehydration as well as reduce particle aggregation through hydrophobic interactions [ 28 , 29 ]. Meanwhile, the water entrapment or preferential exclusion theory has been less widely described and is usually applied for protein cryoprotection [ 24 ]. According to this theory, sugar molecules like trehalose can self-organize to “entrap” water molecules, thus reducing the hydration rate of the protein molecules and favoring their folding in a more compact and rigid state, which is more stable and can protect them from the damage caused by ice crystals [ 30 ].…”

Biodegradable Poly(trehalose) Nanoparticle for Preventing Amyloid Beta Aggregation and Related Neurotoxicity

“…14 Thus, design of biodegradable poly(trehalose) nanoparticles with multivalent trehalose can further enhance the application potential as it can be used under in vivo conditions. 41,43,47,48 In this work, we report polycarbonate-based biodegradable poly(trehalose) nanoparticles ∼180 nm in size and containing peptide aggregation, disintegrates mature amyloid fibrils, and mitigates intracellular toxicity of amyloid aggregates (Scheme 1). The biocompatible and biodegradable nature of the polymer will enhance the in vivo application potential of this material.…”

Candied Haws-Like Fe–N–C Catalysts with Broadened Carbon Interlayer Spacing for Efficient Zinc–Air Battery

“…28,29 In this way, special structural trehalose with an underlying layered structure seems to be the ideal carbon source for Fe−N−C due to its broad interplanar spacings after carbonization, 41 by a raid of abundant pores for dispersing of Fe ions in it. 42,43 Herein, using trehalose as structure forming template, a novel candied haws-like Fe−N−C catalyst (CH-FeNC), composed of trehalose, PANI, and ZIF8 precursors, was fabricated first by a two-step synthesis strategy via raw material morphology and structure design and controllable pyrolysis carbonization. The obtained CH-FeNC features broadened interplanar spacings of carbon, aiming to expose more FeN x active sites and richen the interface.…”

“…in the carbon layer, − which facilitates Fe atoms entering into carbon materials, thereby increasing the density of active sites. In addition, the design of morphology-controlled carbon-based composites may offer abundant edges and interfaces that contribute to enhancing the exposed density of FeN x active sites, ,, using sacrificial templates and ammonia/hydrogen etching. − Inspired by the phenomenon of the well-known cation ion intercalation of graphite cathodes in potassium-ion batteries, − we believe that increasing interplanar spacings of the carbon layers is a smart route to exploit adequately the active sites inside the catalysts because the wider spacings make it easier for oxygen molecules to travel through the interior of the carbon layers. , In this way, special structural trehalose with an underlying layered structure seems to be the ideal carbon source for Fe–N–C due to its broad interplanar spacings after carbonization, by a raid of abundant pores for dispersing of Fe ions in it. , …”