trehalose
noun
tre·ha·lose
tri-ˈhä-ˌlōs 
-ˌlōz
: a crystalline disaccharide C12H22O11 that is found in various organisms (such as fungi and insects), is about half as sweet as sucrose, and is sometimes used as a sweetener in commercially prepared foods
Examples of trehalose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, more studies are needed to prove this theory.5 Some researchers are also interested in using trehalose in diabetes management potentially.
—
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2023
The sugar called trehalose can help some living things survive long periods without water, even if their cells are completely dried out.
—Coren Walters-Stewart, Discover Magazine, 23 Nov. 2022
The first of the two enzymes, trehalase, breaks down the trehalose into glucose, then the second enzyme converts the glucose into another product and releases the electrons.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2012
When dried out, these teeny crustaceans will fill their cells with a sugar called trehalose that suspends molecules within a glassy matrix, preserving them like fossils in amber.
—Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 10 Dec. 2019
Researchers believe this trehalose molecule not only replaces water, but also in some cases can physically constrain the critter's remaining water molecules, keeping them from rapidly expanding when faced with hot and cold temperatures.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2019
Their process uses pullulan, used in the food industry to extend the shelf life of food, and trehalose, a stabilizing agent.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 5 June 2019
To us, trehalose is an indistinguishable sweetener.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2018
When the mice drank trehalose-laced water, RT027 killed nearly 80 percent of them.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2018
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Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2023
The sugar called trehalose can help some living things survive long periods without water, even if their cells are completely dried out.
—Coren Walters-Stewart, Discover Magazine, 23 Nov. 2022
The first of the two enzymes, trehalase, breaks down the trehalose into glucose, then the second enzyme converts the glucose into another product and releases the electrons.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2012
When dried out, these teeny crustaceans will fill their cells with a sugar called trehalose that suspends molecules within a glassy matrix, preserving them like fossils in amber.
—Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 10 Dec. 2019
Researchers believe this trehalose molecule not only replaces water, but also in some cases can physically constrain the critter's remaining water molecules, keeping them from rapidly expanding when faced with hot and cold temperatures.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2019
Their process uses pullulan, used in the food industry to extend the shelf life of food, and trehalose, a stabilizing agent.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 5 June 2019
To us, trehalose is an indistinguishable sweetener.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2018
When the mice drank trehalose-laced water, RT027 killed nearly 80 percent of them.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Trehalose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trehalose. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
trehalose
noun
tre·ha·lose
-ˈhäl-ˌōs, -ˌōz
: a crystalline disaccharide C12H22O11 stored instead of starch by many fungi and found in the blood of many insects
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