Quantification of the Disaccharide Trehalose from Biological Samples: A Comparison of Analytical Methods.

Trehalose is a disaccharide that is biosynthesized by many different organisms subjected to extreme conditions, such as dehydration, heat, oxidative stress, and freezing. This disaccharide allows organisms to better survive these environmental stresses; however, the mechanisms by which trehalose exerts its protective effects are not well understood. Methods to accurately measure trehalose from different organisms will help us gain better understanding of these protective mechanisms.