Several studies have been performed on the reaction between CDs and carotenoids. Pfitzner, Francz, and Biesalski (2000) have developed a physiological, water-soluble complex of carotenoids (zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene and β-carotene) with methyl-β-cyclodextrin for the purpose of cell supplementation. The stability of the different carotenoid/methyl-β-cyclodextrin complex solutions under cell culture conditions was found higher than uncomplex carotenoids. Mele, Mendichi, and Selva (1998) have prepared the water-soluble complexes of the dietary carotenoid, lycopene with α-CD and β-CD. Bixin complexation with α-CD, using both column percolation and sonication was investigated by Lyng, Passos, and Fontana (2005). Another group (Chen, Chen, Guo, Li, & Li, 2007) has prepared the inclusion complex of ASX with β-CD. However, no reports were found about the ASX/ HP-β-CD complex.
The object of this study was to develop a new, water-soluble formulation of ASX using HP-β-CD as solubiliser. The stability of the resultant complex against heat and light were also investigated.