α-Cyclodextrin

α-Cyclodextrin

α-Cyclodextrin, also known as alpha-cyclodextrin, is a cyclic oligosaccharide composed of six glucose units linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It has a molecular formula of C36H60O30C_{36}H_{60}O_{30}C36H60O30 and a molecular weight of 972.84 g/mol. This compound is characterized by its unique cylindrical structure, which features a hydrophobic interior that can encapsulate various molecules, making it particularly valuable in pharmaceutical and food applications.

Physical Properties

• CAS No: 10016-20-3
• Molecular Formula:  C₃₆H₆₀O₃₀
• Molecular Weight: 972.84 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 1410.8°C at 760 mmHg
• Melting Point: >278°C
• Flash Point: 807.1°C
• Density: 1.2580 g/cm³

Applications

α-Cyclodextrin is widely used in various fields due to its ability to form inclusion complexes with hydrophobic substances:

• Drug Delivery: Enhances the solubility and stability of hydrophobic drugs, facilitating their absorption and bioavailability. It is utilized in the formulation of over 30 approved medications.
• Food Industry: Serves as a stabilizer and preservative, helping maintain the quality of food products by preventing spoilage and enhancing shelf life.
• Cosmetics and Personal Care: Employed as an ingredient in formulations to improve texture and stability.
• Environmental Applications: Used in remediation processes to trap pollutants.

Synthesis

α-Cyclodextrin is produced through the enzymatic degradation of starch derived from vegetable sources like corn or potatoes. The starch undergoes liquefaction followed by treatment with cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase), which catalyzes the formation of cyclodextrins.

Citations:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91-Cyclodextrin
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclodextrin
3. https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/J60687.06
4. https://www.fishersci.pt/shop/products/alpha-cyclodextrin-97-thermo-scientific/p-7041910
5. https://sg.vwr.com/store/product/10596135/cyclodextrin-97
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/alpha-cyclodextrin
7. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4176/3/1/1
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7866268/