Solid γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Compound with Gingerols, a Multi-Component Guest: Preparation, Properties and Application in Yogurt.

Gingerols from the rhizome of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) were obtained by a simple extraction, followed by purification. The gingerols extract was composed of 6-gingerol (54%), 8-gingerol (20%), and 10-gingerol (26%). It was included into γ-cyclodextrin by classic co-dissolution procedures. Solid-state characterisation of γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols shows that this inclusion compound features 1:1 host-to-guest stoichiometry and that it is a microcrystalline powder with a crystalline cell that belongs to the tetragonal space group 4212, having the host molecules stacked in infinite channels where the gingerols are accommodated. In chimico studies with ABTS•+ scavenging, NO• scavenging, ß-carotene peroxidation, and 5-LOX inhibition show that γ-cyclodextrin is a suitable carrier for gingerols, because it does not alter their reactivity towards these substances. Yogurt was tested as a matrix for the incorporation of gingerols and γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols into foodstuff. The colour of the fortified yogurt suffered little alterations. In the case of yogurt with the inclusion compound, γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols, as fortificant, these alterations were not perceptible to the naked eye. Moreover, yogurt with γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols showed a good antioxidant activity, thus being suitable for use in nutraceutical applications.

Production of γ-cyclodextrin by Bacillus cereus cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase using extractive bioconversion in polymer-salt aqueous two-phase system.

Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) extractive bioconversion provides a technique which integrates bioconversion and purification into a single step process. Extractive bioconversion of gamma-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) from soluble starch with cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) enzyme derived from Bacillus cereus was evaluated using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/potassium phosphate based on ATPS. The optimum condition was attained in the ATPS constituted of 30.0% (w/w) PEG 3000 g/mol and 7.0% (w/w) potassium phosphate. A γ-CD concentration of 1.60 mg/mL with a 19% concentration ratio was recovered after 1 h bioconversion process. The γ-CD was mainly partitioned to the top phase (YT=81.88%), with CGTase partitioning in the salt-rich bottom phase (KCGTase=0.51). Repetitive batch processes of extractive bioconversion were successfully recycled three times, indicating that this is an environmental friendly and a cost saving technique for γ-CD production and purification.

Chiral separability of hydrophobic boron cluster anions with native cyclodextrins in water-methanol background electrolytes.

Cluster anions of boron are built up on three-center two-electron bonds in contrast to naturally occurring compounds and their synthetic analogs. Methanol works as a solvent and as a competing agent, which advantageously adjusts reasonable strength of their interaction with native CDs in water-organic BGE. The highest methanol concentration preserving chiral discrimination of atropoisomers of individual anions is approximately 35, 55 and 75% v/v for alpha-, beta- and gamma-CD, respectively. alpha-CD separates anionic 7, 8-nido-dicarbaundecaborate clusters with small exo-skeletal substituents. beta-CD separates anions of all four tested structural types. The efficiency of separation of a compound with alpha- or beta-CD is always markedly lower than the separation efficiency at the absence of a CD in BGE. The efficiency of separation of a compound with beta-CD is always lower than the efficiency of separation of the compound with alpha-CD. gamma-CD was proved to be unsuitable as a chiral selector because in BGEs with gamma-CD, effective mobilities of analytes as well as their differences continuously decrease. The decrease was ascribed to the decomposition of the gamma-CD. The assessment of analytical prospect of alpha- and beta-CDs as chiral selectors for chiral separations of boron cluster anions requires knowledge of stability of individual CDs at the conditions of analyses and recognition of the chance to eliminate low separation efficiency.

Inclusion complexes of alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrins and the herbicide norflurazon: I. Preparation and characterisation. II. Enhanced solubilisation and removal from soils.

The interaction of norflurazon with alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrins (CDs) yielded the formation of inclusion complexes at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio in solution and in the solid state. Apparent stability constants of 50.7+/-1.6 and 37+/-1.7 M(-1) and an increase in herbicide solubility by up to five and fourfold for alpha- and gamma-CD, respectively, were determined from the phase solubility diagrams at 25 degrees C in water. Three processing methods (kneading, spray-drying and vacuum evaporation) were used to prepare norflurazon-CD solid inclusion complexes, which were characterised by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. A high increase in the norflurazon dissolution rate was obtained with all the solid complexes with gamma-CD, but when alpha-CD was used, only the solid system obtained after the vacuum evaporation process showed a higher dissolution rate. This finding is a first step in the development of new, environmentally sound formulations of norflurazon (NFL), due to the capacity for increasing its dissolution rate and hydrosolubility, and thus diminishing the use of organic solvents. On the other hand, the effect of alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrin on the solubility of norflurazon in solution was also considered as a way of modifying its behaviour in the soil environment. Desorption studies of NFL from soils in the presence of alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrin were carried out using a batch equilibration method. The results obtained showed that alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrin greatly increased the removal of norflurazon previously adsorbed, proving the potential use of these CDs for in situ remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils.