Trehalose for Agriculture: Protecting Crops from Stress Naturally

Unleash the power of Trehalose, a naturally occurring disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules, to revolutionize sustainable agriculture.

Naturally present in mushrooms, yeast, and select bacteria, insects, and plants, Trehalose enhances crop protection and stress resistance by mitigating abiotic stress factors such as drought, heat, and salinity.

Trehalose acts as a powerful biostimulant, helping plants tolerate abiotic stress while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.

NAGASE supplies agricultural-grade Trehalose for use in seed coating, microbial inoculants, biocontrol formulations, and plant biostimulants. We offer technical support and supply chain flexibility tailored to global markets.

Trehalose is widely used in agricultural and biostimulant applications to improve stability, performance, and stress tolerance in both crops and microbial systems.

• Liquid inoculants: enhances microbial stability and extends shelf life, boosting soil health and crop vitality
• Seed coating: protects Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) under dry and high-temperature conditions
• Bio-control formulations: acts as a stabilizer to preserve the viability and efficacy of biological control agents
• Plant biostimulants: functions as a natural biostimulant, improving plant resilience under abiotic stress (e.g. drought, heat, oxidative stress)
• Drought tolerance: in greenhouse trials, crops treated with Trehalose retained over 85 % of biomass under drought conditions compared to untreated controls
• Microbial inoculant stabilization: field trials with legumes showed 3× longer shelf life and improved root colonization when using Trehalose-enriched inoculants

Trehalose offers a unique combination of natural functionality and technical reliability, making it an ideal stabilizing agent in agricultural and biostimulant formulations.

• Naturally derived: harnesses the power of nature for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural applications
• High water solubility & osmotic regulation: enhances plant hydration and stress resistance through effective osmo-regulatory properties
• Exceptional heat stability: withstands extreme temperatures, including autoclave conditions, without losing functional integrity
• High purity with pH neutrality: ensures formulation stability while minimizing impact on soil or microbial environments
• Strong stabilizing effect: prolongs efficacy of biomaterials and living cells by protecting membranes, proteins, and cellular structures

What is Trehalose and why is it used in agriculture?
Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide known for its stabilizing properties. In agriculture, it helps protect microbial inoculants, enzymes, and plant cells from environmental stress, improving product performance and shelf life.

How does Trehalose support drought tolerance in crops?

Trehalose acts as an osmo-regulator and water stabilizer. In greenhouse trials, crops treated with Trehalose retained over 85 % of biomass under drought stress, compared to untreated controls.

Is Trehalose suitable for use in bio-based formulations?
Yes, Trehalose is biodegradable, non-toxic, and compatible with organic and sustainable agriculture standards, making it an ideal choice for bio-based formulations.

Can Trehalose be used in microbial inoculants or seed treatments?
Absolutely. Trehalose stabilizes microbial viability and enhances the effectiveness of seed coatings, especially under heat and desiccation stress.

Does Trehalose interfere with the flavor or activity of biological components?
No. Trehalose is chemically stable and flavor-neutral. It protects sensitive biomolecules without altering their activity or sensory profiles.