Trehalose Content Research Articles

Sugar Metabolism and Transport in Response to Drought–Rehydration in Poa pratensis

Poa pratensis is one of the world’s most widely planted cold-season turfgrasses, with good quality but poor drought resistance. When plants suffer from stress, the metabolism of soluble sugar takes place, which is a dynamic process involving both degradation and synthesis. A detailed and in-depth study of the sugar metabolism process in plants’ response to stress will help us to understand the internal mechanism of plant adaptation to stress. In this study, the ‘10-202’ ecotype with drought resistance and the ‘Blue moon’ ecotype with drought sensitivity were used to explore the sugar metabolism process in response to drought stress. The results showed that drought stress induced sucrose accumulation in the leaves and roots, promoted increases in SPS, S-AI, and PpN/A-Inv activities, as well as gene expression in the leaves, and changed the content and distribution of fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and trehalose in vivo. Compared with ‘Blue moon’, ‘10-202’ had higher trehalose content in leaves under normal conditions, and its roots could accumulate more fructose and glucose to maintain the balance of osmotic potential and redox under drought stress. Meanwhile, PpSWEET1b, -12, and -15 in the leaves and roots of the two ecotypes were significantly induced by drought stress. The improvements in sucrose accumulation and decomposition efficiency in leaves under drought stress is conducive to enhancing drought resistance in plants. PpSWEET1b plays a vital role in regulating the sugar transport process of drought tolerance in turfgrass.

Knockdown of FAS2 Impairs Fecundity by Inhibiting Lipid Accumulation and Increasing Glycogen Storage in Locusta migratoria

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a pivotal gene in the lipid synthesis pathway and plays a crucial role in insect energy metabolism. Locusta migratoria, as one of the major agricultural pests, requires identification of new targets to control or reduce its reproductive capacity for effective locust pest management strategies. In this study, we focused on L. migratoria and identified FAS2 as a potential target gene with functional significance in lipid metabolism and reproduction based on sequence characteristics analysis and tissue-expression patterns of five FAS genes. Subsequently, through RNA interference (RNAi) targeting FAS2 expression, we assessed alterations in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism-related gene expression levels, lipid and carbohydrate contents, ovarian development, and reproductive capacity using experimental techniques such as RT-qPCR, ELISA, and morphological observations. Our findings revealed that interference with FAS2 upregulated genes involved in lipid degradation, including Lsd-1, Lsd-2, Lipase3, and Brummer, while significantly decreasing the TAG content and fat accumulation. At the level of carbohydrate metabolism, FAS2 silencing led to significant upregulation of key genes TPS and GS in the synthesis pathway, resulting in increased glycogen and trehalose content. In addition, FAS2 interference resulted in a significant reduction of Vg mRNA expression level sand protein content in L. migratoria, followed by delayed ovarian development and reduced egg production. This further confirms that impaired FAS2 function prompts L. migratoria to enhance lipid degradation and sugar storage to maintain the energy balance, while reducing the energy investment into reproduction. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that FAS2 can serve as a novel molecular target for controlling L. migratoria.

Higher concentration of trehalose dihydrate stabilizes recombinant IgG1 under forced stress conditions.

Stability of complex biotherapeutics like monoclonal antibodies is paramount for their safe and efficacious use. Excipients are inactive ingredients that are added to the purified product so as to offer it a stable environment. Trehalose dihydrate is a non-reducing sugar that is commonly used as a stabilizing agent in biotherapeutic formulations under liquid and frozen states. The stabilizing effect of trehalose against aggregation in protein formulations is well known. The present study aims to offer insights into the stability effects of higher trehalose concentration (230 mM) on liquid trastuzumab under different forced stress conditions including thermal, light with and without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), humidity and extraction stresses. Under thermal stress, while high molecular weight (HMW) accounted for 38.80% in the trastuzumab sample without trehalose, it was 4.89% at high trehalose concentration. Similarly, under light stress with H2O2, the trastuzumab sample without trehalose had >80% more HMW than at high trehalose concentration. Two other IgG1 mAbs (rituximab and bevacizumab) were also evaluated for stability at higher trehalose concentrations (230 mM). Similar to trastuzumab, stabilization was observed under thermal stress for rituximab and bevacizumab at higher trehalose concentration compared to samples without trehalose (21.90% and 29.90% HMW, respectively). Likewise, accelerated (under humidity stress) and extraction stress induced secondary and tertiary structure disruptions were reduced at higher trehalose concentration. An in-silico study between binding interactions of trehalose and trastuzumab Fab region at different concentrations depicted an increase in hydrogen bonding with trastuzumab Fab when the trehalose concentration is increased, thereby reducing aggregation. Overall, mAb stability under forced stress conditions improved significantly at higher trehalose concentrations. While higher trehalose concentration (>200 mM) is used in mAb formulations and is known to minimise aggregation under thermal stress, however, the current study aims to also explore the stability imparted under light (with H2O2), humidity and extraction stresses for three different mAbs and attempts to explain the underlying mechanisms via in-silico studies.

Dual-Mechanism Gastroretentive Tablets with Encapsulated Gentian Root Extract.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to develop gastroretentive tablets based on mucoadhesive-floating systems with encapsulated gentian (Gentiana lutea, Gentianaceae) root extract to overcome the low bioavailability and short elimination half-life of gentiopicroside, a dominant bioactive compound with systemic effect. The formulation also aimed to promote the local action of the extract in the stomach. Methods: Tablets were obtained by direct compression of sodium bicarbonate (7.5%) and solid lipid microparticles (92.5%), which were obtained with lyophilizing double emulsions. A quality by design (QbD) was employed to evaluate the impact of formulation factors and processing parameters on emulsion viscosity, powder characteristics (moisture content, encapsulation efficiency, flowability), and tablet characteristics (floating lag time, gentiopicroside release, and assessment of dispersibility during in vitro dissolution). Results: The trehalose content and high-shear-homogenization (HSH) time of primary emulsion were critical factors. Trehalose content positively influenced emulsion viscosity, moisture content, floating lag time, encapsulation efficiency, and the release rate of gentiopicroside. HSH time positively affected powder stability and negatively gentiopicroside release. The selected powder had a high gentiopicroside encapsulation efficiency (95.13%), optimal stability, and good flowability. The developed tablets exhibited adequate floating lag time (275 s), mucoadhesive properties, and gentiopicroside biphasic release (29.04% in 45 min; 67.95% in 6 h). Furthermore, the optimal tablet formulation remained stable for 18 months and was primarily digested by duodenal enzymes. Conclusions: Dual-mechanism gastroretentive tablets with encapsulated gentian root extract were successfully developed. The in vitro digestion study demonstrated that the optimal formulation effectively resisted gastric enzymes, ensuring the release of its contents in the small intestine, even in the case of premature gastric evacuation.

Effect of oat β-glucan on the freezing resistance of yeast and the underlying mechanism.

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of oat β-glucan (OβG) on yeast subjected to freeze-thaw cycle-induced stress. A range of analytical techniques were employed to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms, including flow cytometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Following three freeze-thaw cycles, the survival rate of yeast that had been supplemented with 0.5% OβG was found to be significantly higher than that of the control sample, increasing from 36.21% to 56.81%. The addition of 0.5% OβG resulted in a remarkable reduction in apoptosis, an improvement in cell membrane integrity, and an increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase activity and glutathione content compared to the control group. Furthermore, a noticeable increment in the intracellular trehalose content was observed, from 4.10mg/g to 7.48mg/g. OβG modulated the expression of trehalose metabolism-related genes (ATH1, NTH1, NTH2) throughout the freeze-thaw cycle. Therefore, it could be concluded that OβG protected yeast cells against excessive reactive oxygen species and minimised oxidative damage to cellular membranes by upregulating antioxidant enzyme activity and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the supplementation of OβG was also found to be effective in increasing intracellular trehalose levels, thereby enhancing the freezing resistance of yeast cells.

Formulation of recombinant Lactococcus lactis as an oral vaccine candidate for COVID-19

Background: Lactococcus lactis is a promising oral vaccine carrier. However, to improve the stability of the bacteria, the freeze-drying method and formulation need to be optimised. Objective: To develop a formulation of oral recombinant food-grade Lactococcus lactis as a candidate oral vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Method: To preserve bacteria during storage, a combination of skim milk, trehalose, and sucrose concentrations was adjusted. The impacts of the freeze-drying procedure were investigated using a bacterial viability test, and bacterial morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Bacteria produced from the freeze-drying technique were combined with excipients to create granules, tablets, and capsules. After one month of storage, the bacterial viability of each product was assessed after one-month storage in 4°C and 25°C, and physicochemical testing was conducted on each product. Results: The cryoprotectant formula containing 8% of skim milk and 7.5% of sucrose protected the bacteria the most from the freeze-drying process. The tablets and capsules complied with current specifications, including disintegration test, tablet hardness, capsule weight uniformity, and bacteria viability. Conclusion: Among the products, tablets stored for one month at 4°C had the best bacterial viability. This study demonstrated the potential to develop and administer an easy-to-use oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate using L. lactis.

The Stress Response of Aphids to the Accumulation of Heavy Metals Along Vicia faba L. Under Cadmium Treatment.

Due to the intensification of human activities, the ecosystems are being polluted by heavy metals. The pollution of heavy metals in agricultural systems has become a serious issue of global concern. This study detected the bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in broad beans and aphids through continuous exposure to varying concentrations of Cd pollution (0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/L) and subsequently examined its effects on aphid energy metabolism and reproductive ability. The results showed that Cd can be transmitted and accumulated between Vicia faba L. and aphids along the food chain, and the amount of accumulation was related to the Cd treatment concentration. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of trehalase (TRE) and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) in F1 were significantly upregulated, and those of vitellogenin (Vg) were varied across the five generations of aphids after Cd treatment, which were up-regulated, and others down-regulated. Compared with the control group, the glycogen content and two types of trehalase activities of the first-generation Cd-treatment aphids were decreased, while trehalose content increased; there was no significant change in the carbohydrate content and trehalase activity of the fourth and fifth generations of aphids. In addition, the reproduction of female aphids was inhibited. This research is helpful for studying the toxic effects of heavy metals on insects and the adaptation mechanisms of insects to extreme environments. It also provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the molecular mechanisms of Cd homeostasis in plants and insects under Cd stress.

Trehalose Interferes with the Photosynthetic Electron Transfer Chain of Cereibacter (Rhodobacter) sphaeroides Permeating the Bacterial Chromatophore Membrane.

Disaccharide trehalose has been proven in many cases to be particularly effective in preserving the functional and structural integrity of biological macromolecules. In this work, we studied its effect on the electron transfer reactions that occur in the chromatophores of the photosynthetic bacterium Cereibacter sphaeroides. In the presence of a high concentration of trehalose, following the activation of the photochemistry by flashes of light, a slowdown of the electrogenic reactions related to the activity of the photosynthetic reaction center and cytochtome (cyt) bc1 complexes is observable. The kinetics of the third phase of the electrochromic carotenoid shift, due to electrogenic events linked to the reduction in cyt bH heme via the low-potential branch of the cyt bc1 complex and its oxidation by quinone molecule on the Qi site, is about four times slower in the presence of trehalose. In parallel, the reduction in oxidized cyt (c1 + c2) and high-potential cyt bH are strongly slowed down, suggesting that the disaccharide interferes with the electron transfer reactions of the high-potential branch of the bc1 complex. A slowing effect of trehalose on the kinetics of the electrogenic protonation of the secondary quinone acceptor QB in the reaction center complex, measured by direct electrometrical methods, was also found, but was much less pronounced. The direct detection of carbohydrate content indicates that trehalose, at high concentrations, permeates the membrane of chromatophores. The possible mechanisms underlying the observed effect of trehalose on the electron/proton transfer process are discussed in terms of trehalose's propensity to form strong hydrogen bonds with its surroundings.

N-Doped Quantum Dots Promote Rice Germination and Enhance Its Drought Tolerance at Seedling Stage

AbstractThe current study aimed to synthesize nitrogen-doped quantum dots (NQDs) and to study their effect on germination and drought tolerance of two rice cultivars (Sakha Super 300 and Sakha 108) at seedling stage. Microwave-assisted carbonization of glucose in presence of ammonia was followed to obtain NQDs that were characterized by spectral analysis, FTIR, electron microscopy, zetametry, elemental analysis and cytotocicty assessment. Grains of the two rice cultivars were primed in NQDs then germination rate and seedling growth parameters were determined under control and polyethylene glycol-induced drought. Also, the effect of grain priming on membrane features, activity of antioxidant enzymes, H2O2 content and the amount of some drought responsive metabolites was evaluated. The formed NQDs possessed blue luminescence under UV radiation with absorption peak at 275 nm. These NQDs had plenty of hydrophilic oxygen-containing groups with various C–N bonds. NQDs had an average size of 9.4 nm, zeta potential of -16.8 mV, O/C atomic ratio of 52%, and N/C ratio of 40%. NQDs proved to be non-toxic on four human cell lines. Grain priming of the two rice cultivars in NQDs enhanced their germination and ameliorated the ill impact of drought on germination rate as well as seedling length, biomass, and water content. Also, NQDs reduced injury to cellular membranes, reduced H2O2 content, and activated catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Moreover, NQDs increased seedlings content of trehalose, proline, phenols, and ascorbic acid. The easily prepared, highly stable, and safe-by-design NQDs can be applied to boost germination and drought tolerance of rice seedlings.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of the Fertilization Capacity of Frozen/Thawed Rooster Spermatozoa Supplemented with Different Concentrations of Trehalose.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the supplementation of varying concentrations of the impermeable disaccharide trehalose on the in vitro and in vivo fertilization capacity of cryopreserved rooster spermatozoa in the original Czech Golden Spotted Hen breed. The control trehalose concentration was 0 mM, while TRE50 (50 mM), TRE100 (100 mM), and TRE200 (200 mM) were used as experimental trehalose concentrations. The kinematic and functional parameters of frozen/thawed spermatozoa were evaluated in vitro using mobile computer-assisted sperm analysis and a flow cytometer. The addition of 100 mM trehalose demonstrated the most favorable results for total (34.17%) and progressive (3.57%) motility after thawing. A statistically significant difference was found for these kinetic parameters compared to the other monitored concentrations. This experimental group was also found to have a significantly higher percentage of spermatozoa without plasma membrane or acrosome damage (33.37%) compared to the TRE50 group (30.74%; p < 0.05) and the TRE200 group (29.05%; p < 0.05). In vivo, artificial insemination was performed to verify fertilization ability. Hens (n = 40) were artificially inseminated twice (10 hens/treatment) with a 3-day interval between inseminations. In conclusion, the addition of 100 mM trehalose significantly improved total and progressive motility after thawing and preserved plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (p < 0.05). The fertilization rate of eggs fertilized with semen frozen with the addition of 100 mM trehalose was not significantly different from the other concentrations tested or the control group but was numerically higher (23.21% vs. 15.20% of fertilized eggs in this group).

Evaluation of Drought Tolerance and Trehalose Response in Auricularia heimuer

Auricularia heimuer is drought tolerant, but the mechanism underlying its physiological response to drought has not been systematically studied. We selected 13 strains of A. heimuer and simulated drought stress using a complete yeast medium (CYM) containing 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG), while the medium used for the control treatments did not contain PEG. Strains were cultured on a shaker incubator at 25 °C at 120 rpm for 15 days under dark conditions. The contents of soluble sugars (SS) and soluble proteins (SP), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the biomass were measured. Between the 20% PEG treatment and the control, as well as among different strains, there were significant differences in all of the physiological indices. The tested strains were classified into the following four categories according to their membership function values: the first category consisted of the highly drought-tolerant strain A; the second consisted of the drought-tolerant strains A127 and C; the third consisted of the moderately drought-tolerant strains A124, A14, A386, A462, A184, A496, A125, and B; and the fourth consisted of the drought-sensitive strains A356 and A508. Transcriptome analysis was performed on C before and after drought stress treatment, and 1762 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, including 798 up- and 964 down-regulated genes. Through KEGG enrichment analysis, it was found for the first time that the synthesis pathway for trehalose in A. heimuer is trehalose phosphate synthase–trehalose phosphate phosphatase (TPS-TPP), which is involved in the response of A. heimuer to drought stress. In addition, two key enzyme genes involved in trehalose synthesis, namely trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (AhTPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (AhTPP), were significantly up-regulated after drought stress. The trehalose content significantly increased in 11 strains after drought stress treatment. This study discovered, for the first time, that the synthesis pathway of trehalose is involved in the response of edible fungi to drought stress, thus providing a reference for the genetic improvement of A. heimuer and the selection of drought-tolerant strains, laying a theoretical foundation for the resistance breeding of other edible fungi.

Expression and functional analysis of adipokinetic hormone reveal its different roles in larval development and female fecundity in Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Adipokinetic hormone (AKH), a crucial neuropeptide, participates in the important physiological processes by specially binding to its receptor to activate the AKH signalling pathway. AKH regulates energy metabolism. However, it remains unknown whether AKH affects larval development and adult reproduction by influencing energy metabolism. In the present study, the AKH was identified from Panonychus citri and contained the conserved functional domain 'Q-[LIV]-[NT]-F-[ST]-X (2)-W' that characterises the AKH family. The relative expression levels of PcAKH revealed different patterns of AKH expression at different developmental stages of P. citri. Feeding of double-standard RNA against PcAKH induced decreased fecundity and reduced survival, which was accompanied by the down-regulation of vitellogenin gene expression. In addition, after silencing the PcAKH, lipid metabolism and carbohydrate homeostasis were disrupted, manifested by increased body width and weight, and fasting phenomenon. Further investigation found that compared with the control, physiological changes in trehalose and triglyceride contents were accompanied by variations in the mRNA expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. The disorder of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism may affect adult female reproduction, which may lead to insufficient vitellogenin deposition. Moreover, the silencing of PcAKH seriously affected the growth and development of larvae, which was manifested as delayed development period and difficulty in moulting. Conclusively, all these results in current study demonstrated that double-stranded RNA silencing system targeting PcAKH effectively inhibited larval development and female fecundity by disturbing lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and PcAKH is a specific RNAi target for control of P. citri in the design and development of biopesticide in sustainable agriculture.

Exogenous Trehalose Assists Zygosaccharomyces rouxii in Resisting High-Temperature Stress Mainly by Activating Genes Rather than Entering Metabolism.

Zygosaccharomyces rouxii is a typical aroma-producing yeast in food brewing, but it has low heat resistance and poor proliferation ability at high temperature. Trehalose is generally considered to be a protective agent that helps stable yeast cells resist heat shock stress, but its functional mechanism for yeast cells in the adaptation period under heat stress is unclear. In this study, the physiological metabolism changes, specific gene transcription expression characteristics, and transcriptome differences of Z. rouxii under different carbon sources under high-temperature stress (40 °C) were compared to explore the mechanism of trehalose inducing Z. rouxii to recover and proliferate under high-temperature stress during the adaptation period. The results showed that high concentration of trehalose (20% Tre) could not be used as the main carbon source for the proliferation of Z. rouxii under long-term high-temperature stress, but it helped to maintain the stability of the cell population. The intracellular trehalose of Z. rouxii was mainly derived from the synthesis and metabolism of intracellular glucose, and the extracellular acetic acid concentration showed an upward trend with the improvement of yeast growth. A high concentration of trehalose (20% Tre) can promote the expression of high glucose receptor gene GRT2 (12.0-fold) and induce the up-regulation of HSF1 (27.1-fold), MSN4 (58.9-fold), HXK1 (8.3-fold), and other signal transduction protein genes, and the increase of trehalose concentration will maintain the temporal up-regulation of these genes. Transcriptome analysis showed that trehalose concentration and the presence of glucose had a significant effect on the gene expression of Z. rouxii under high-temperature stress. In summary, trehalose assists Z. rouxii in adapting to high temperature by changing gene expression levels, and assists Z. rouxii in absorbing glucose to achieve cell proliferation.

Trehalose supports the growth of Aedes aegypti cells and modifies gene expression and dengue virus replication.

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide that is the major sugar found in insect hemolymph fluid. Trehalose provides energy, and promotes growth, metamorphosis, stress recovery, chitin synthesis, and insect flight. Trehalase is the only enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of trehalose, which makes it an attractive molecular target. Here we show that Aedes aegypti (Aag2) cells express trehalase and that they can grow on trehalose-containing cell culture media. Trehalase activity was confirmed by treating Aag2 cells with trehalase inhibitors, which inhibited conversion of trehalose to glucose and reduced cell proliferation. Cell entry of a fluorescent trehalose probe was dependent on trehalose concentration, suggesting that trehalose moves across the cell membrane via passive transport. Culturing Aag2 cells with trehalose-containing cell culture media led to significant changes in gene expression, intracellular lipids, and dengue virus replication and specific infectivity, and increased their susceptibility to trehalase inhibitors. These data describe an in vitro model that can be used to rapidly screen novel trehalase inhibitors and probes and underscores the importance of trehalose metabolism in Ae. aegypti physiology and transmission of a mosquito-borne virus.

RNAi-Mediated FoxO Silencing Inhibits Reproduction in Locusta migratoria.

FoxO is a downstream target gene of cellular nutrient and growth factors, oxidative stress responses, and insulin signaling pathways. It play a crucial role in insect growth, development, and reproduction. Locusta migratoria is a significant agricultural pest; therefore, the identification of novel control targets for its management is of significant importance. After injecting dsRNA to interfere with FoxO expression, we observed changes in the reproduction-related gene expression and ovary development through RT-qPCR and morphological observation. Simultaneously, the trehalose and glycogen contents were measured following RNAi. The results demonstrate that interference with FoxO significantly downregulates key genes in the Hippo pathway and Notch gene expression. In terms of carbohydrate metabolism, the trehalose content decreases significantly while the glycogen content increases markedly after FoxO silencing. Additionally, FoxO silencing considerably inhibits reproductive-related gene expression, resulting in delayed ovarian development. These findings indicate that FoxO regulates L. migratoria reproduction through the Hippo signaling pathway: when impaired, the reproductive capacity function declines. In addition, FoxO-mediated energy mobilization is involved in the regulation of egg production. These results indicate that the RNAi of FoxO may be a useful control strategy against L. migratoria.

Juvenile hormone controls trehalose metabolism by regulating trehalase 2 activity in ovarian development of Helicoverpa armigera.

Trehalase (Treh) is crucial for ovarian development as it directly regulates the energy supply by hydrolyzing trehalose into glucose. Juvenile hormone (JH) is also essential for ovarian development, but how it affects Treh2 activity remains unclear. This study, which employed Helicoverpa armigera as a model, showed that HaTreh2 transcription and enzymatic activity peaks coincided with the peak of JH titers (the 2 and 3 days after emergence). Compared to the dsGFP control, knockdown of HaTreh2 transcription severely impaired ovarian development. LC-MS/MS and site mutation experiments demonstrated that JH triggered the serine 345 phosphorylation of HaTreh2 via the GPCR-cAMP-PKA pathway, thereby activating its enzymatic activity. Additionally, HaTreh2 is directly bound with trehalose transporter (HaTreT) under JH induction, thus controlling intracellular trehalose and glucose contents as well as the transcription of HaTreT. TreT controls the amount of trehalose, which serves as a substrate for Treh1, entering the cell. Treh2, on the other hand, uses extracellular trehalose as substrate, and the hydrolysis product glucose is further transported into the cell. Here, HaTreh2 regulated the substrate that HaTreh1 can act upon in the cell by directly binding with HaTreT during ovarian development when JH is induced. Therefore, JH systematically regulated trehalose metabolism during ovarian development through regulating the activity of HaTreh2. This study sheds light on the coordinated interplay between JH pathway and sugar metabolism in ovarian development.

Analysis of Frozen Bakery Items Containing Trehalose and its Impact on Quantitative Quality Measures

The frozen dough market has been increasing annually since it reduces cost while ensuring the availability of fresh products. Ice crystal formation inside the dough decreases yeast functionality while thawing releases fluid inside the dough, both leading to an unacceptable product. Trehalose can enhance the viability of yeast cells and reduce ice crystals. Four concentrations of trehalose (0, 10, 20, and 30%) were investigated on the freeze-thaw quality of frozen dough. Samples were prepared, frozen, and thawed before testing for color, moisture, water activity, and texture. Trehalose had no significant impact on color, moisture, or water activity of any sample despite trends in moisture and water activity being present. However, increased trehalose showed decrease in peak load in biscuits and pizza crusts. Therefore, more research is needed but data shows that trehalose could act as an anti-staling agent by reducing crust hardness in frozen biscuits and pizza crusts.

A novel technique for trehalose and sucrose determination in therapeutic monoclonal antibodies using a high-performance liquid chromatography–evaporative light scattering detector

Sucrose and trehalose are commonly used excipients in therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and stability of drugs. Though it is necessary to control the concentrations of these substances during the quality control of their release, there is currently no comprehensive method for simultaneously determining sucrose and trehalose concentrations. Herein, we established a high-performance liquid chromatography–evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) method and validated it in accordance with the International Council for Harmonization Q2 guidelines. This method utilized the Poroshell 120 HILIC-Z chromatographic column and effectively separated sucrose and trehalose with a detection limit of 0.001 mg/mL. The accuracy recovery rate was within a range of 90%–110 %, and the precision relative standard deviations were all less than 5.0 % (n = 6). The method thus demonstrated good repeatability and linearity, making it suitable for determining the sucrose and trehalose concentrations in therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

Lentil protein and trehalose conjugates: Structural interactions and mechanisms for improving multi-level structure and functional characteristics.

This study aimed to improve lentil proteins' (LPs) functionality and nutritional value, specifically addressing their lower water solubility and digestibility. A unique combination of LP-disaccharide interactions was employed. Spectroscopic technologies, which include fluorescence spectra, ultraviolet spectra, and Fourier-transform infrared, investigated the structure of LPs at various concentrations of trehalose. The results indicate that the LP structures and conformation were considerably modified (p<0.05) following trehalose conjugation. The surface charge and hydrophobicity of the trehalose-conjugated LPs (T-LPs) were significantly altered (p<0.05), from -22.7 to -31.4 and 753 and 543 a.u., respectively. Furthermore, the digestibility and solubility of T-LPs increased from 75% to 81.8% and 60% to 66%, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that combining LPs and trehalose conjugation could improve the quality of conjugates LPs, which could expand their use in manufacturing as the acceptance of plant-based diets increases. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Currently, lentil proteins (LPs) are used in plant-based protein powders and supplements. Though less popular than soy or pea proteins, LPs are valued for their high protein content and good amino acid profile. LPs are utilized in meat alternatives and high-protein snack products. The application of these products is mainly due to their nutritional benefits rather than functional properties due to their poor water solubility. Increasing the water solubility of LPs could significantly expand their application in various food industries, making LPs a more competitive and functional plant-based protein source. Trehalose-conjugated LPs with better water solubility allow LPs to be used in other food products, such as plant-based protein beverages. Better solubility would enhance the clarity and smoothness of these products, making them more appealing to consumers.

Trehalose metabolism mediates trade-offs between reproduction and survival in beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis, under heat stress.

Temperature is an important determinant of developmental and reproductive rates in insects. Here, we investigated the physiological responses of adult beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), to three temperatures (16, 23 and 30 °C) focusing on trehalose metabolism. Exposure of moths to 30 °C accelerated eclosion and ovarian development, but shortened the oviposition period and adult longevity, whereas exposure to 16 °C had opposite effects. Transcriptome analysis revealed that vitellogenin (VG) and vitellogenin receptor (VR) genes were up-regulated at 30 °C, as were numerous genes related to energy metabolism, including those involved in the insulin signaling pathway, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and glycolysis. Expression of the trehalose transporter gene TRET1 was also induced at high temperature, primarily in the ovaries, where trehalose content increased, accompanied by lipid degradation in the fat body. Treatment with the trehalase inhibitor validamycin A reduced female fecundity and longevity at 23 °C, but enhanced the expression of genes related to stress resistance and reproduction, mimicking the effect of high temperature. Besides their practical utility for predicting the oviposition behavior and geographic distribution of L. sticticalis in the field, these results elucidate the various physiological roles of trehalose in L. sticticalis during exposure of moths to high temperature and may provide insights into the relationship between stress resistance and reproduction in insects more generally. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.