Trehalose (á-D-glucopyranosyl (1–1)-á-D-glucopyranoside) is a
non-reducing disaccharide of glucose found in bacteria, fungi, plants
and insects [1]. It was originally thought to serve as a reserve carbohydrate,
but there are several works suggesting that it as an important
stress protectant [2]. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, trehalose
can be accumulated up to 15% during adverse environmental conditions
like nutrient starvation, heat, osmotic and ethanol shocks [3–5]. Trehalose
seems to play a dual role. First, it can protect the plasmamembrane.
Second, it keeps proteins in their native state during a stress condition
as well as it avoids protein aggregation.