α-Cyclodextrin

The molecular structure of cyclodextrin is formed by more than 6 dextroses connected by α-1, 4 glucoside bonds in a barrel-like shape. A hydrophobic cavity is formed in the barrel, which can absorb hydrophobic small molecules or groups of a certain size and shape to form a stable non-covalent complex. Cyclodextrins can bind with many kinds of guest because of their special structure of 'hydrophilic outside, hydrophobic inside' and excellent non-toxic properties. Cyclodextrins that consist of six, seven, and eight glucose monomers connected by alpha-1, 4-glucoside bonds are called α-cyclodextrins, β-cyclodextrins, and γ-cyclodextrins.