[UV-vis spectroscopic characterization of inclusion compounds of beta-cyclodextrin with lycopene].

Water-soluble inclusion compounds of beta-cyclodextrin with lycopene were prepared by two methods: (1) complexation in solution and (2) complexation by kneading. It was found that UV-Vis spectra of the inclusion complexes in water are different from those of lycopene in water-miscible organic solvents (tetrahydrofuran) and beta-cyclodextrin in water, which confirms the formation of the inclusion complexes. Specific interactions of lycopene and beta-cyclodextrin cause great changes in absorbance maximum (lambdamax) of lycopene. It is considered that the inclusion complexes in water are formed as supermolecular aggregates with nanometer size, after card-pack type lycopene is included by beta-cyclodextrin in molecular level.