Tributyrin, a good butyric acid donor, has the potential to prevent colon cancer. The cyclodextrin-tributyrin inclusion complexes synthesized by enzymatic methods have the advantages of low costs and simple technology. However, the structure as well as compositions of the inclusion complexes and release behaviors of inclusion guest molecules have not been elucidated. We evaluated the properties and structure of the enzymatic cyclodextrin synthesis-tributyrin inclusion complex (ECT). In vitro release behaviors of inclusion complexes were investigated and kinetic simulation performed. The ECT exhibited a double-layer encapsulation structure while the carrier was mainly composed of three kinds of cyclodextrins and macrodextrins, among which the levels of β-CD were higher. The storage experiment revealed that the encapsulation complex had a good stability. Kinetic simulation showed that ECT release in vitro conforms to the Hixson-Crowell model. These findings imply that ECT could effectively pass through the stomach and tributyrin release mainly occurred in the large intestines. Therefore, ECT can effectively improve tributyrin bioavailability, which provides a basis for in vivo ECT applications.

三丁酸甘油酯是一种很好的丁酸供体，具有预防结肠癌的潜力。酶法合成的环糊精-三丁酸甘油酯包合物具有成本低、工艺简单的优点。然而，包合物的结构和组成以及包合客体分子的释放行为尚未阐明。我们评估了酶促环糊精合成-三丁酸甘油酯包合物 (ECT) 的性质和结构。体外研究了包合物的释放行为并进行了动力学模拟。ECT呈现双层包封结构，载体主要由三种环糊精和大分子糊精组成，其中β-CD含量较高。储存实验表明，包封复合物具有良好的稳定性。动力学模拟表明ECT体外释放符合Hixson-Crowell模型。这些发现暗示ECT可以有效地通过胃并且三丁酸甘油酯的释放主要发生在大肠中。因此，ECT可以有效提高三丁酸甘油酯的生物利用度，为体内ECT应用提供了依据。