Investigation of monoterpenes complexation with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

In this study, we investigated the inclusion complexation of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and eight monoterpenes (eucalyptol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, α-pinene, β-pinene, pulegone, and thymol) in aqueous solution and solid state. The formation constants (K f) of inclusion complexes were determined using fluorescence spectroscopy and static headspace gas chromatography. The results indicated the formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes between HP-β-CD and all studied guests. A linear relationship was found between K f values and the hydrophobic character of the monoterpenes expressed as logP. Solid complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method in a 1:1 (HP-β-CD:monoterpene) molar ratio. Physicochemical characterization of solid inclusion complexes was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of HP-β-CD was determined using HPLC analysis. Noticeable difference in the EE% was observed between monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes. These results suggested that complexation with HP-β-CD could be a promising strategy to enlarge the application of monoterpenes in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries.