Product Description
Trehalose is a type of sugar and a food additive known for its unique properties. It is a disaccharide consisting of two glucose molecules bound together. Trehalose is naturally found in many organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and invertebrates, where it helps them survive extreme conditions such as dehydration and freezing.
In the food industry, trehalose is valued for several reasons:
1. Stability: Trehalose is very stable under heat and acidic conditions, making it a useful ingredient for food preservation.
2. Low Sweetness: It has about 45% of the sweetness of sucrose (table sugar), which makes it a suitable choice for reducing the overall sweetness of products while still providing a pleasant taste.
3. Moisture Retention: Trehalose has excellent moisture-retention properties, which helps in preventing food from drying out and extends the shelf life of products.
4. Antioxidant Properties: It can protect cells and proteins from damage caused by oxidation and other environmental stressors.
5. Non-Hygroscopic: Unlike some sugars, trehalose does not readily absorb moisture from the environment, which helps in maintaining the texture and quality of food products.
Because of these attributes, trehalose is used in a variety of food products such as baked goods, confectioneries, frozen foods, and even in some medical and cosmetic applications.
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