New Polymorph of β-Cyclodextrin with a Higher Bioavailability

A new polymorph of anhydrous β-cyclodextrin (polymorph III) was obtained and characterized for the first time using powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The solution enthalpy and time of dissolution in water were determined using solution calorimetry for this polymorph and compared with those of the dried commercial form of β-cyclodextrin (polymorph I), its amorphous form, and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The specific heat capacities of polymorphs I and III were determined using differential scanning calorimetry across a wide range of temperatures, providing enthalpy and Gibbs energy values for the polymorphic transition at 298 K. The affinities of polymorph III and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for water were characterized by determining their hydration isotherms, which provided values of hydration Gibbs energy. Being energy-rich, the new-found polymorph of β-cyclodextrin has a significantly higher dissolution rate and an increased affinity for water compared with the dried commercial form of β-cyclodextrin. These properties render the new polymorph promising in industrial applications for guest inclusion in aqueous solutions and pastes, and may be a desirable alternative for water-soluble β-cyclodextrin derivatives.