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Beta-cyclodextrin sources, health risks

Tuesday, October 17, 2017 by

Beta-cyclodextrin is a seven-sugar ring molecule that belongs to a group of compounds made up of sugar molecules bound together in a ring called oligosaccharides. It is produced from starch through enzymatic conversion. It is a water-soluble solid that looks like crystalline powder. It is odorless and has a slight sweet taste to it. It is also used in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and agriculture and environmental engineering.

This compound is popular in the pharmaceutical field because the inclusion compounds of beta-cyclodextrin with hydrophobic molecules can penetrate body tissues, which can be used to release biologically-active compounds under certain conditions.

On the other hand, beta-cyclodextrin is used in the food industry in the preparation of cholesterol-free products. Beta-cyclodextrin is also used in weight loss supplements. It claims to bind to fat and be a substitute to other anti-obesity medications. Its other food applications include the stabilization of volatile or unstable compounds and the reduction of unnecessary tastes and smell. In addition, this chemical is also used in alcohol powder, which is a powder used for mixing alcoholic drinks.

Beta-cyclodextrin has several other names, such as cycloheptaamylose, cyclomaltoheptaose, and betadex. It has a chemical formula of (C6H10O5)7.

Harmful effects that can be caused by beta-cyclodextrin

There is not much information on the harmful effects of beta-cyclodextrin on human health. However, there are reports that it can cause allergic skin reactions. It is also a potential irritant in the eye, skin, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. In animal studies, it was found that it negatively affects the reproductive system in experimental animals.

Body systems harmed by beta-cyclodextrin

The body systems harmed by beta-cyclodextrin are minimal. Moreover, the potential adverse effects are mostly caused by contact with the chemical. Beta-cyclodextrin particles that come in contact in the eyes may cause irritation. It can also cause skin corrosion or irritation when in contact. If inhaled, its particles may harm the respiratory system as it can be toxic and irritate the respiratory tract. Lastly, in can be harmful to the digestive system if swallowed.

Where to learn more

Summary

Beta-cyclodextrin is a seven-sugar ring molecule that belongs to a family of compounds made up of sugar molecules bound together in a ring called oligosaccharides. It is produced from starch by means of enzymatic conversion. It looks like a crystalline powder, has a slight sweet taste, has no odor, and is soluble in water. It is also used in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and agriculture and environmental engineering. The chemical is also known as cycloheptaamylose, cyclomaltoheptaose, and betadex. It has a chemical formula of (C6H10O5)7. The chemical compound can cause irritations in the skin, eye, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract.

Sources include:

C-C-L.com

ToxiPedia.org

FScimage.FisherSci.com



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