1. A class of cyclic oligosaccharides composed of glucose units linked in a ring structure, used in pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications for their ability to form inclusion complexes with other molecules.
Usage: technical; chemistry; plural form; singular is cyclodextrin

Examples

• Cyclodextrins are widely used in pharmaceutical formulations to improve drug solubility.
• The three main types of cyclodextrins are alpha, beta, and gamma cyclodextrins.
• Food manufacturers use cyclodextrins to encapsulate flavors and aromas.
• Cyclodextrins form host-guest complexes that can trap hydrophobic molecules.
• Beta-cyclodextrins are the most commonly used cyclodextrins in industry due to their cost-effectiveness.