Description
A cyclic oligosaccharide of eight alpha-1,4-linked glucose units. The largest of the natural cyclodextrins, with the widest cavity and the highest water solubility, making it the preferred cyclodextrin for complexation of larger pharmaceutical molecules and lipophilic vitamins.
White crystalline powder. Water solubility of approximately 232 g/L at 25 °C, by far the highest of the natural cyclodextrins. Cavity inner diameter approximately 0.75 to 0.83 nm.
We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Gamma-Cyclodextrin from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include food-grade for functional food and beverage use, pharmaceutical-grade conforming to USP/EP/JP specifications, and high-purity laboratory grade for research applications. Cyclized fructo-oligosaccharide (γ-CD) is also marketed for nutraceutical use as a stable carrier of fat-soluble nutrients.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, water content, sulfated ash, related cyclodextrins, and microbiology.
Introduction
Gamma-cyclodextrin is the eight-glucose-unit cyclic oligosaccharide. Of the three natural cyclodextrins, gamma-CD has the largest cavity, the highest water solubility, and the best safety profile in pharmaceutical applications, including approval for parenteral (injectable) drug formulations.
Production parallels alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin: cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from selected microbial strains is used to drive cyclization of starch hydrolysate toward the gamma form, followed by selective crystallization or chromatographic purification. Yields are historically lower than for alpha or beta cyclodextrin, which contributes to higher market price.
Regulated as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA, listed in USP, NF, EP, and JP pharmacopoeias, and approved by EFSA for food use. Gamma-cyclodextrin is the only natural cyclodextrin approved for use in injectable pharmaceutical products by major regulators.
The large cavity makes gamma-cyclodextrin uniquely suited to complexation of bulky pharmaceutical molecules, fat-soluble vitamins, and long-chain unsaturated lipids. The high water solubility means dosage forms can deliver substantially more complexed active per unit volume than beta-cyclodextrin allows.
Where it is used
- Pharmaceutical complexation of larger lipophilic actives that do not fit alpha or beta cavities
- Functional food encapsulation of omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, and fat-soluble vitamins
- Fish oil and algae oil deodorization and stability enhancement
- Sports nutrition and pre-workout formulations; carrier for lipophilic ergogenics
- Cosmetic and personal-care fragrance and active stabilization
- Pharmaceutical injectable formulations; high water solubility enables parenteral use
- Beverage cloudifying and aroma encapsulation
- Specialty dietary supplements positioned for absorption enhancement
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (dry basis) | ≥ 98.0% |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 11.0% |
| Sulfated ash | ≤ 0.1% |
| pH (1% solution) | 5.0 to 8.0 |
| Specific rotation | +174° to +180° |
| Reducing substances | ≤ 1.0% |
| Alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin | ≤ 2.0% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 mg/kg |
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