ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prove the capability of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) to interact with some representative molecules responsible to cause body malodour, such as carboxylic acids, thiols and steroids, present in sweat and body secretions. METHODS: The association constants in guest-CD were determined by (1) H-NMR spectroscopy for thiols and steroids such as 3-mercapto-1-hexanol, androstenone, androstenol and androsterone, and pH-potentiometric titration for acetic acid, l(+) lactic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-hexanoic acid. RESULTS: All considered systems are able to interact with relatively weak association constants with ß-cyclodextrin, in a 1 : 1 host-guest ratio. CONCLUSION: From these findings, it is possible to conclude that ß-CD is capable to interact with different components present in the sweat and body secretion, forming inclusion complexes. For this reason, ß-CD could be a component of body care formulations, such as deodorants.