Cyclodextrins for Essential Oils Applications

Abstract

There is a growing interest for the aromatic and biological properties of essential oils, as alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Nonetheless, essential oils and their components are poorly soluble in water, and are highly sensitive to degradation and evaporation. Encapsulation in cyclodextrins can reduce these drawbacks and improve the properties of essential oils. Cyclodextrins are non-toxic cyclic oligosaccharides obtained by enzymatic degradation of starch. Cyclodextrins inclusion complexes find applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.