Cyclodextrins are naturally derived, ring-shaped molecules made from starch. Featuring a water-loving (hydrophilic) exterior and a fat-loving (hydrophobic) interior, they can envelope or contain other molecules inside their interior cavity. This unique structure allows cyclodextrins to form reversible “inclusion complexes” with a wide array of compounds.
Cyclodextrins can increase solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs and improve stability and shelf-life of active ingredients, but they can also act as chemical reaction modulators and taste masking agents. Download this resource to learn more about cyclodextrins and their unconventional and outside-the-box uses.