Fragility characterization by neutron scattering for pure homologous disaccharides

Trehalose is unique in nature as bioprotector in drying and freezing processes. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the unusual bioprotective properties of trehalose relative to other homologous disaccharides, the low-frequency dynamics of pure trehalose and sucrose has been studied as a function of temperature by neutron spectroscopy. The study addressed to the comparison of the relaxational and vibrational properties of both disaccharides allowed us to characterize their different rigidity.