A combined neutron scattering and simulation study on bioprotectant systems

The present work shows quasi elastic neutron scattering, neutron spin echo and inelastic neutron scattering results on a class of bioprotectant systems, such as homologous disaccharides (i.e., trehalose and sucrose)/water solutions, as a function of temperature. The whole set of findings indicates a noticeable kosmotrope character of the disaccharides, and in particular of trehalose, which is able to strongly modify both the structural and dynamical properties of water. This superior capability of trehalose can be linked to its higher bioprotective effectiveness in respect with the other disaccharides. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.