Cyclodextrins: emerging applications

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides that are composed of alpha-1,4-linked glucopyranose subunits. They are produced from starch by enzymatic degradation. These macrocyclic carbohydrates with apolar internal cavities can,form complexes and solubilize many normally water-insoluble compounds. Cyclodextrins are used in separation science because they have been shown to discriminate between positional isomers, functional groups, homologues and enantiomers. This property makes them a useful agent for a wide variety of separations. The utility of these water-soluble cyclic glucans in a variety of foods, flavors, cosmetics, packaging and textiles is also well known.