Review Article

Recent Advances and Future Direction in Lyophilisation and Desiccation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Table 1

Advantages of trehalose over sucrose as a lyoprotectant.

SucroseTrehalose

Vulnerable to hydrolysis under acidic conditionsNot prone to hydrolysis under acidic conditions

Smaller hydration radius; thus large amount of sucrose is required for lyophilisationHydration radius 2.5 times that of sucrose, thus requiring 2.5 times less trehalose for lyophilisation as compared to sucrose

Does not protect cells and proteins from oxidative damageProtects cells and proteins from oxidative damage

Less interaction with water and hence does not displace water molecules bound to carbonyls at the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membraneInteracts more strongly with water and thus able to displace water molecules bound to carbonyls at the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes

Lower transition temperatureHigh transition temperature