抄録
Cyclodextrins (CDs) have long been considered as back-seat players (host molecules) bestowing favors on central players (guest molecules) through the use of their unique capacity to form inclusion complexes. For example, unstable volatile agents can be stabilized by complexation with CDs and their bio-availability can thereby be also enhanced. In addition to the role as back-seat players, in recent years, among natural CDs, alpha CD has also become utilized as a central player owing to some key discoveries of biological functions and enhancing effects. It would appear that alpha CD is now one of the most valuable functional ingredients for health food development. Here we first cover characteristic features like stability, viscosity, and hygroscopic properties of alpha CD under various conditions. In this article we also review the key beneficial effects of intake of alpha CD regarding enhancement of biological functions such as anti-allergy, plasma glucose lowering, plasma insulin lowering, body weight loss, cholesterol lowering and triglyceride lowering effects.
