Abstract Cyclodextrins are capable of forming non-covalent host-guest inclusion complexation with variety of molecules in order to enhance water-solubility and thermal stability of such hydrophobic and volatile molecules. Menthol, an efficient antibacterial and flavour/fragrance agent, is used in various applications like food, pharmacy, cosmetics, however, its low water-solubility and high volatility somewhat limit its application. In this study, menthol/cyclodextrin-inclusion complex (menthol/CD-IC) was formed in highly concentrated aqueous solution by using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPγCD). The phase solubility studies and computational modeling studies revealed that menthol and these two CDs (HPβCD and HPγCD) formed stable inclusion complexes with the optimal molar ratio of 1:1 (menthol:CD) and inclusion complex formation enhanced the water-solubility of menthol. The electrospinning of nanofibers (NFs) from highly concentrated aqueous solutions (160%, w/v) of menthol/CD-IC was successfully performed without using additional fiber forming polymer and bead-free and uniform menthol/CD-IC NFs in the form of self-standing and flexible nanofibrous webs were produced. The initial molar ratio (1:1, menthol:CD) of the menthol/CD-IC in the solutions was mostly preserved in the menthol/CD-IC NFs (above 0.70:1.00, menthol:CD). The water-solubility of menthol was enhanced and menthol/CD-IC NFs have shown fast-dissolving character. The slow-release of menthol was achieved for menthol/CD-IC NFs, and the evaporation of menthol was shifted to much higher temperature (up to 275 °C) for menthol/CD-IC NFs which proved the high-temperature stability for menthol due to inclusion complexation.

中文翻译：

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薄荷醇/环糊精包合物纳米纤维：增强薄荷醇的水溶性和高温稳定性

摘要 环糊精能够与多种分子形成非共价的主客体包合络合物，以提高这些疏水性和挥发性分子的水溶性和热稳定性。薄荷醇是一种高效的抗菌和调味剂/香味剂，用于食品、制药、化妆品等各种应用，但其低水溶性和高挥发性在一定程度上限制了其应用。在本研究中，通过使用羟丙基-β-环糊精（HPβCD）和羟丙基-γ-环糊精（HPγCD）在高浓度水溶液中形成薄荷醇/环糊精包合物（薄荷醇/CD-IC）。相溶解度研究和计算模型研究表明，薄荷醇和这两种 CD（HPβCD 和 HPγCD）形成稳定的包合物，最佳摩尔比为 1:1（薄荷醇：CD) 和包合物的形成增强了薄荷醇的水溶性。从薄荷醇/CD-IC的高浓度水溶液（160%，w/v）静电纺丝纳米纤维（NFs）成功进行，无需使用额外的纤维形成聚合物和无珠且均匀的薄荷醇/CD-IC NFs生产了自立式和柔性纳米纤维网。溶液中薄荷醇/CD-IC 的初始摩尔比 (1:1, 薄荷醇:CD) 主要保留在薄荷醇/CD-IC NFs (高于 0.70:1.00, 薄荷醇:CD) 中。薄荷醇的水溶性增强，薄荷醇/CD-IC NFs 显示出快速溶解特性。薄荷醇/CD-IC NFs实现了薄荷醇的缓释，