Beetasyklodekstriini

Beetasyklodekstriini, also known as beetacyclodextrin, is a cyclic oligosaccharide derived from the partial hydrolysis of starch. It is a white, crystalline powder that is soluble in water and has a sweet taste. Beetacyclodextrin is commonly used in the food industry as a sweetener and stabilizer. Its primary advantage lies in its ability to form inclusion complexes with various hydrophobic compounds, which can enhance the solubility and stability of these compounds in aqueous solutions. This property makes beetacyclodextrin useful in the formulation of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other products.

The production of beetacyclodextrin involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch, followed by purification and crystallization processes. The resulting product is a mixture of cyclic oligosaccharides, primarily consisting of α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin, with β-cyclodextrin being the most abundant. Beetacyclodextrin has a molecular weight of approximately 1,135 g/mol and a typical structure consisting of six to eight glucose units linked through α-1,4 glycosidic bonds.

In the food industry, beetacyclodextrin is used as a low-calorie sweetener and as a stabilizer for flavors and colors. Its inclusion complexation properties also make it useful in the encapsulation of hydrophobic compounds, such as vitamins and antioxidants, to improve their bioavailability and stability. Additionally, beetacyclodextrin has potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry for drug delivery systems and in the cosmetic industry for the formulation of stable and effective products.

Beetacyclodextrin is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory authorities, and its use is permitted in various food products, including beverages, confections, and baked goods. However, like any food additive, the use of beetacyclodextrin should be carefully considered and regulated to ensure consumer safety and product quality.