alpha-Cyclodextrin

Category

Oligosaccharides

Description

Solid; [Merck Index] White or nearly white solid; Virtually odorless; [JECFA] White powder; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Cyclodextrins are natural cyclic oligosaccharides with conical structures, a hollow hydrophobic internal cavity, and a hydrophobic exterior; alpha-Cyclodextrin is composed of 6 units of glucose; Used in drug delivery, as a complexing agent in foods, cosmetics, and agricultural chemicals, and in chiral separation methods; [Merck Index] Used as a carrier, stabilizer, absorbent, and encapsulation agent for food additives, flavorings, and vitamins; [JECFA] Permitted for use as an inert ingredient in non-food pesticide products; [EPA]

Comments

No developmental toxicity or teratogenicity observed in rats at doses up to 49,300 mg/kg/day (mild maternal toxicity observed); [NTP] Causes changes in liver weight and weight loss in 4-week oral studies of rats; [RTECS] Safe when used as a food ingredient and additive at proposed levels and predicted consumption patterns; [JECFA] May cause irritation; Not a skin irritant in rabbits; No skin sensitization observed in guinea pigs; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See "beta-Cyclodextrin" and "gamma-Cyclodextrin."

Biomedical References

Other Information

No other related information on this agent was found.