Innovative crystal transformation of dihydrate trehalose to anhydrous trehalose using ethanol

The crystal transformation of dihydrate trehalose to anhydrous trehalose was investigated using ethanol and a new type of crystal particle with porous structure could be obtained. The specific surface area of the anhydrous crystal transformed at 50 degrees C was 3.3 m(2)/g, with a median pore diameter of 0.21 microm, and void volume of 0.22 mL/g. The crystal transformation was monitored by measuring the crystal moisture content. The crystal transformation rates could be correlated with the Avrami equation, using the mechanism parameter n=11.5, suggesting that the change of surface area occurred during crystal transformation from dehydrate to anhydrous trehalose. The apparent activation energy of the crystal transformation was 132 kJ/mol.