Inclusion complexes of carotenoids with cyclodextrins: 1HNMR, EPR, and optical studies

Direct evidence of carotenoid/cyclodextrin inclusion complex formation was obtained for the water-soluble sodium salt of β-caroten-8′-oic acid (IV) by using 1H NMR and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. It was shown that this carotenoid forms a stable 1:1 inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin (stability constant K11 ≈ 1500 M−1). All other carotenoids under study in the presence of cyclodextrins (CDs) form large aggregates in aqueous solution as demonstrated by very broad absorption spectra and considerable change in color. By using the EPR spin trapping technique, the scavenging ability of IV toward OOH radicals was compared in DMSO and in the aqueous CD solution. A considerable decrease in PBN/OOH spin adduct yield was detected in the presence of uncomplexed IV because of a competing reaction of the carotenoid with OOH radical. No such decrease occurred in the presence of the IV/CD complex. Moreover, a small increase in spin adduct yield (pro-oxidant effect) is most likely due to the reaction of the carotenoid with Fe3+ to regenerate Fe2+, which in turn regenerates the OOH radical. Our data show that CD protects the carotenoid from reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, complexation with CD results in considerable decrease in antioxidant ability of the carotenoid.