Posted by This review critically evaluates β-CD inclusion systems through a cross-scale framework linking host-guest recognition and complex stability with carrier architecture, food-matrix-dependent release, product-level functionality, and translational constraints. Rather than re-cataloguing preparation methods or individual technologies, evidence from flavour delivery, active packaging, food preservation, and bioactive stabilization is comparatively analysed to identify transferable design relationships and methodological limitations. Underexplored applications, including 3D food printing, fermentation, contaminant removal, and cellular agriculture, are considered separately as evidence-gap areas rather than established technological domains.
After a long introduction the following topics are discussed:
4. Applications of β-CD in the food industry
- 4.1. Protection and retention of flavour compounds
- 4.2. Functionality and controlled release of aroma molecules
5. β-CD-based active-packaging architectures
- 5.1. Cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs)
- 5.2. Electrospun nanofibers and nanosponge-based packaging systems
- 5.3. Functional biopolymer films incorporating β-CD complexes
- 5.4. Mechanisms and kinetics of release from β-CD-based packaging systems
6. Preservation performance of β-CD systems in real food matrices
- 6.1. Fruit and vegetable preservation
- 6.2. Preservation of animal-derived foods and microalgal products
- .3. Edible coatings and controlled-release preservation systems
7. Molecular stabilization of food bioactive compounds
- 7.1. Stabilization of polyphenols, flavonoids, and natural antioxidants
- 7.2. Carotenoids and lipophilic bioactive compounds
- 7.3. Emerging delivery systems for functional ingredients
- 7.4. Structure-function relationships governing bioactive stabilization
8. Prospective and underexplored applications of β-CD in food systems
- 8.1. Three-dimensional food printing
- 8.2. Fermentation processes
- 8.3. Removal of mycotoxins and food contaminants
- 4. Cellular agriculture
9. Safety considerations and future opportunities
- 9.1. Safety and regulatory considerations
- 9.2. Barriers to industrial implementation
- 9.3. Predictive research priorities and testable design rules
Preservation performance of a cinnamaldehyde/HP-β-CD-based hyaluronic acid coating for bananas during storage, adapted from Zhou et al. (2024)
References:
Parham Joolaei Ahranjani, Shahabaldin Rezania, Mahnoush Beygisangchin, Hesam Kamyab, Kamine Dehghan, Giovanna Ferrentino (2026) β-Cyclodextrin inclusion complexes as supramolecular carriers: Established and emerging applications in the food industry. Trends in Food Science & Technology 178, 106082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2026.106082.
C. Zhou, L. Li, D. Li, R. Zhang, S. Hu, K. Zhong, B. Yan (2024) Hyaluronic acid-based multifunctional bio-active coating integrated with cinnamaldehyde/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for fruit preservation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 271, Article 132605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132605