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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-04 Origin: Site
γ-Cyclodextrin (Gamma-Cyclodextrin, CAS: 17465-86-0) is a naturally derived cyclic oligosaccharide composed of eight α-1,4-linked D-glucose units. It belongs to the cyclodextrin family alongside α-Cyclodextrin (6 glucose units) and β-Cyclodextrin (7 glucose units). Produced through the enzymatic conversion of starch by cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase), γ-Cyclodextrin features a distinctive truncated cone molecular structure with a hydrophilic outer surface and a relatively hydrophobic inner cavity.
Compared to its α- and β- counterparts, γ-Cyclodextrin offers the largest cavity diameter (approximately 7.5–8.3 Å), the highest water solubility (232 g/L at 25°C), and the most favorable toxicological profile. These properties make it uniquely capable of forming stable host–guest inclusion complexes with larger guest molecules that cannot be accommodated by smaller cyclodextrins.
Property | Specification |
CAS Number | 17465-86-0 |
Molecular Formula | C₄₈H₈₀O₄₀ |
Molecular Weight | 1297.12 g/mol |
Appearance | White crystalline powder |
Glucose Units | 8 |
Cavity Diameter | ~7.5–8.3 Å |
Water Solubility (25°C) | 232 g/L |
Melting Point | ~267°C (decomposition) |
Density | ~1.41 g/cm³ |
Source | Enzymatically modified starch |
Typical Purity (Industrial Grade) | ≥98% |
Typical Purity (Food Grade) | ≥99% |
The defining functional mechanism of γ-Cyclodextrin is molecular encapsulation via inclusion complexation. The molecule's toroidal structure creates a cavity where the interior is relatively non-polar (hydrophobic) while the exterior surface carries hydroxyl groups that are strongly hydrophilic.
When a hydrophobic guest molecule of appropriate size and geometry approaches the cavity, it becomes partially or fully encapsulated through non-covalent interactions — primarily van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. No covalent bonds are formed or broken during this process.
This encapsulation delivers five key functional benefits:
Solubility Enhancement
1. — Hydrophobic compounds become dispersible in aqueous systems
Stabilization
2. — Encapsulated actives are shielded from oxidation, light, heat, and moisture
Volatility Control
3. — Volatile aromatic compounds are retained during processing and storage
Taste & Odor Modulation
4. — Undesirable bitter tastes or pungent odors are masked
Controlled Release
5. — Guest molecules are released gradually under specific environmental triggers (temperature, humidity, enzymatic activity)
γ-Cyclodextrin is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA for food use and approved as a food additive in multiple jurisdictions including the EU (E 458) and Japan. Its high water solubility makes it particularly suitable for liquid food systems where β-Cyclodextrin's limited solubility would be a bottleneck.
Application | Function | Example Use Cases |
Flavor Encapsulation | Protects volatile flavor compounds during thermal processing; prevents flavor loss during shelf life | Beverages, baked goods, instant soups, snack seasonings |
Taste Masking | Encapsulates bitter-tasting compounds (polyphenols, peptides, certain minerals) | Functional beverages, protein-enriched foods, plant-based products |
Vitamin & Nutrient Stabilization | Protects oxygen-sensitive and light-sensitive micronutrients | Fortified juices, nutritional bars, dairy alternatives |
Off-Odor Removal | Traps undesirable volatile compounds (e.g., fishy odors from omega-3 oils, beany notes from plant proteins) | Omega-3 fortified foods, soy-based products |
Cholesterol Reduction | Selectively complexes with and removes cholesterol from animal-derived products | Low-cholesterol dairy, egg products, meat processing |
Color Stabilization | Protects natural pigments (anthocyanins, carotenoids) from oxidative degradation | Fruit-based beverages, natural colorant formulations |
Solid Alcohol / Powdered Beverages | Encapsulates ethanol or liquid flavor oils into free-flowing dry powders | Powdered cocktail mixes, instant alcoholic beverage powders |
In cosmetic formulations, γ-Cyclodextrin serves as a multifunctional ingredient that improves product stability, sensory experience, and active delivery without compromising formulation aesthetics.
Application | Function |
Fragrance Encapsulation | Prolongs fragrance longevity in perfumes, body lotions, and deodorants by controlling volatile release |
Active Ingredient Stabilization | Protects sensitive cosmetic actives (retinoids, vitamin C, unsaturated oils) from oxidative degradation |
Irritation Reduction | Forms inclusion complexes with potentially irritating ingredients, reducing direct skin contact and improving tolerability |
Odor Control in Formulations | Masks inherent raw-material odors without adding competing fragrance notes |
Controlled-Release Skincare | Enables sustained delivery of moisturizers, antioxidants, and functional peptides |
Deodorant & Antiperspirant Products | Traps body-odor-causing volatile compounds; used in fabric refresher sprays (e.g., Febreze technology) |
γ-Cyclodextrin and its derivatives are gaining traction in sustainable agriculture as formulation aids that improve pesticide efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
Application | Benefit |
Pesticide Solubilization | Improves water dispersibility of hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients, reducing reliance on organic solvents |
Controlled / Slow-Release Formulations | Extends the effective duration of pesticides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators in the field |
Reduced Volatilization & Drift | Minimizes airborne loss of volatile agrochemicals during and after application |
Soil Bioremediation | Enhances bioavailability of soil-bound organic contaminants for microbial degradation; methylated γ-CD derivatives show particular promise as environmentally friendly soil washing agents |
Seed Treatment | Protects seed-coating active ingredients from premature degradation |
Cyclodextrins can be permanently grafted onto textile fibers, imparting functional properties that survive multiple wash cycles.
Application | Function |
Odor-Control Fabrics | γ-CD-functionalized textiles capture sweat-derived odor molecules and release them during laundering |
Fragrance-Finishing | Encapsulated fragrance molecules are gradually released from treated fabrics upon contact with body heat or moisture |
UV Protection Enhancement | Complexation with UV-absorbing agents improves their durability on fabrics |
Antimicrobial Finishing | Serves as a carrier matrix for sustained release of antimicrobial agents in sportswear, performance textiles, and home furnishings |
Dyeing Auxiliary | Improves dye solubility, levelness, and fixation rate in textile dyeing processes |
γ-Cyclodextrin-based materials are recognized as biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives to synthetic surfactants and organic solvents for environmental cleanup.
Application | Mechanism |
Contaminated Soil Washing | Solubilizes hydrophobic organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs, pesticides) from soil matrices for subsequent biodegradation |
Groundwater Remediation | Methylated γ-Cyclodextrin (M-γ-CD) enhances pump-and-treat efficiency for chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons |
Wastewater Treatment | γ-CD-functionalized adsorbents selectively capture heavy metals and organic micropollutants from industrial effluents |
Air Filtration | γ-CD-coated filter media trap volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odorous substances from industrial exhaust streams |
Application | Description |
Chiral Separation / Chromatography | γ-CD-based chiral stationary phases enable enantiomeric separation in analytical and preparative HPLC |
Catalysis | γ-CD inclusion complexes act as phase-transfer catalysts or enzyme-mimetic microreactors in organic synthesis |
Polymer Additive | Incorporated into polymer matrices to modify thermal stability, UV resistance, or biodegradation rate |
Essential Oil Stabilization | Protects high-value essential oils (citrus, floral, spice) from oxidation and evaporation during storage and formulation |
Feature | α-Cyclodextrin | β-Cyclodextrin | γ-Cyclodextrin |
Glucose Subunits | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Cavity Diameter (Å) | ~4.7–5.3 | ~6.0–6.5 | ~7.5–8.3 |
Water Solubility (g/L, 25°C) | 145 | 18.5 | 232 |
Molecular Weight (g/mol) | 972.84 | 1134.98 | 1297.12 |
Typical Guest Molecules | Small aliphatics, short-chain fatty acids | Aromatics, steroids, medium-sized heterocycles | Macrocycles, large aromatics, vitamins D/E/K, carotenoids |
Relative Cost | Moderate | Low (most abundant) | Higher |
Digestibility (by Human α-Amylase) | Resistant | Resistant | Rapidly digested |
FDA GRAS Status | Yes | Yes | Yes |
γ-Cyclodextrin is primarily used in food manufacturing as a flavor encapsulant, taste-masking agent, vitamin stabilizer, and off-odor remover. It protects volatile flavor compounds during thermal processing, masks bitter tastes from polyphenols and peptides, stabilizes oxygen-sensitive nutrients, and traps undesirable odors such as fishy notes from omega-3 fatty acids. It is approved as food additive E 458 in the EU and holds FDA GRAS status in the United States.
γ-Cyclodextrin has 8 glucose units (vs. 7 in β-CD), a larger hydrophobic cavity (7.5–8.3 Å vs. 6.0–6.5 Å), and substantially higher water solubility (232 g/L vs. 18.5 g/L at 25°C). It can accommodate larger guest molecules, is rapidly digested by human amylase (unlike β-CD which is resistant), and commands a higher market price. γ-CD is preferred for liquid food systems and large-molecule encapsulation; β-CD dominates cost-sensitive industrial applications.
Yes. γ-Cyclodextrin is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA, approved as food additive E 458 in the EU, and evaluated by JECFA with an ADI of "Not Specified" — the most favorable safety designation, indicating no toxicological concern at anticipated dietary intake levels. Unlike β-CD, γ-CD is rapidly digested by human α-amylase into glucose, contributing to its excellent safety profile.
The CAS number of γ-Cyclodextrin is 17465-86-0. Its molecular formula is C₄₈H₈₀O₄₀, and its molecular weight is 1297.12 g/mol.
Yes. γ-Cyclodextrin is widely used in cosmetics for fragrance longevity, active ingredient stabilization, irritation mitigation, and odor control. It is reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel and considered safe at typical cosmetic use concentrations. Common applications include controlled-release skincare, long-lasting perfumes, deodorants, and fabric refresher sprays.
In agriculture, γ-Cyclodextrin is used to solubilize hydrophobic pesticides, create slow-release agrochemical formulations, reduce pesticide volatilization, and support soil bioremediation by enhancing the bioavailability of organic contaminants for microbial degradation. Methylated γ-CD derivatives are being actively researched as environmentally friendly soil washing agents.
γ-Cyclodextrin should be stored in a cool, dry environment at room temperature (15–25°C), in tightly sealed containers protected from moisture and direct sunlight. Under recommended storage conditions, typical shelf life is 24–36 months.
The leading global manufacturers include Wacker Chemie AG (Germany, CAVAMAX® W8) — the only company producing all three native cyclodextrins at commercial scale — Roquette Frères (France, KLEPTOSE®), Zibo Qianhui Biotechnology (China), Shandong Binzhou Zhiyuan Biotechnology (China), CycloLab Ltd. (Hungary), and Ensuiko Sugar Refining (Japan).
Native γ-Cyclodextrin is the unmodified cyclic octamer of glucose. Derivatives such as hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD) and methylated γ-cyclodextrin (M-γ-CD) are chemically modified to alter solubility, complexation selectivity, or enzymatic resistance for specific application requirements. M-γ-CD, for example, shows superior performance in environmental remediation applications.
Yes. γ-Cyclodextrin is derived from starch and is fully biodegradable in soil and aquatic environments. Its rapid enzymatic degradation by ubiquitous amylase-producing microorganisms makes it an environmentally preferable alternative to synthetic surfactants and encapsulation agents.
γ-Cyclodextrin occupies a unique position within the cyclodextrin family as the member with the largest cavity, highest water solubility, and most favorable safety and biodegradability profile. These properties power its expanding role across food and beverage, cosmetics, agriculture, textiles, and environmental remediation — all without reliance on pharmaceutical applications.
As industries face increasing pressure to adopt clean-label, sustainable, and biodegradable functional ingredients, γ-Cyclodextrin is well-positioned to capture growing market share. For formulators and procurement professionals seeking a versatile molecular encapsulation agent, γ-Cyclodextrin represents a technically superior and regulatory-friendly choice for a broad range of non-pharmaceutical applications.
