Kinetics and release characteristics of menthyl acetate from its β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex by thermogravimetric analysis

Menthyl acetate has a characteristic, fresh, pungent flavor and a cool mouthfeel. It has been widely used in many products. Because of its high volatility and short shelf-life, menthyl acetate-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was produced to provide protection, enhance stability and control release of menthyl acetate. The inclusion complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction. The results show that menthyl acetate was successfully encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin. Menthyl acetate loading capacity was obtained from the weight loss difference between blank β-cyclodextrin and inclusion complex, and the value is about 8.5 %. Kinetics and release characteristics of menthyl acetate from complex were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. Menthyl acetate release mainly occurred in the first stage before β-CD decomposition. Because menthyl acetate-β-CD inclusion complex is a poor conductor of heat, the methyl acetate release peak shifted towards higher temperature with an increase in heating rate. Menthyl acetate release activation energies were obtained and the average value is 258.7 kJ/mol. Kinetics and release characteristics are basis data for better understanding the mechanism and the combination of host and guest.