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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

A Generalized Method for Determining Free Soluble Phenolic Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Cereals and Legumes
Published on: June 10, 2022
Effect of cyclodextrin and cosolvent on the solubility and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid
Miriana Kfoury1, Chantal Geagea1, Steven Ruellan2
1Bioactive Molecules Research Laboratory, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon.
Abstract:
Caffeic acid is a natural phenylpropanoid that exhibits various health benefits. However, it suffers from a poor aqueous solubility limiting its application. This drawback could be overcome by complexation in cyclodextrins (CD) or cosolvency. Herein, we investigated, for the first time, the combined effect of CD and ethanol as cosolvent on complexation, solubilization and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid. Results showed that CD, ethanol and their combined use enhanced the solubility of this phenylpropanoid. However, the presence of ethanol affects the formation of inclusion complexes as lower formation constants (Kf) and complexation efficiencies (CE) were obtained while increasing the ethanol percentage (0-45% v/v). No inclusion complex could be observed at 45% v/v ethanol. These results were confirmed by 2D DOSY and 2D ROESY NMR experiments. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of caffeic acid in the combined system was enhanced consequent to its increased solubility.
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