The interactions of epicocconone with two supramolecular hosts, alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin have been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. 1: 1 and 1: 2 complexes formed with both the cyclodextrins are marked by the enhancement of fluorescence of epicocconone. A significantly greater fluorescence enhancement is observed with alpha-CD than with beta-CD. This observation fortifies the contention that microviscosity has a significant influence on the excited state dynamics of epicocconone, as the space available for the fluorophore within its complex with alpha-CD is significantly lesser than that available in its complexes with beta-CD, even though the fluorophore is shielded from water in both the cases. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.