Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder (crystalline solid)
Industry PositionFood Additive / Food Ingredient
Market
Alpha-cyclodextrin is a specialty carbohydrate ingredient (cyclohexaamylose) traded globally as a food-grade additive/ingredient, used primarily for stabilization/thickening and as a carrier/solubilizer in formulated foods. It is manufactured industrially from hydrolyzed starch via enzymatic conversion (CGTase), so availability is tied to starch feedstock and industrial processing capacity rather than harvest seasonality. In international regulatory context it is listed in Codex GSFA as Cyclodextrin, alpha- (INS 457) and has a long-standing JECFA evaluation with ADI "not specified" at intended use levels. In the EU it has been authorized as a novel food ingredient since 2008 with defined identity and purity specifications, making regulatory classification and labeling a key determinant of market access across jurisdictions.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Virtually odorless, white or almost white crystalline solid (food ingredient specification context)
- Ring-shaped cyclic oligosaccharide (native cyclodextrin) with a small cavity (6 glucose units)
Compositional Metrics- Chemical name: cyclohexaamylose
- CAS No.: 10016-20-3
- Chemical formula: (C6H10O5)6 (also expressed as C36H60O30)
- Molecular weight: 972.85
- Defined in EU authorization as a non-reducing cyclic saccharide of six α-1,4-linked D-glucopyranosyl units produced from hydrolyzed starch via CGTase
- EU novel food specifications include an assay threshold of not less than 98% (dry basis)
Grades- Food-grade (used as a food additive/ingredient under Codex GSFA and under EU novel food authorization conditions)
Packaging- Commercial bulk formats commonly include 25 kg units, 1000 kg units, and bulk shipment depending on supplier program
- Dry, sealed, room-temperature storage is commonly recommended for maintaining quality; some supplier programs state shelf life of at least 36 months under dry storage in unopened original packaging
ProcessingCodex GSFA functional classes include Stabilizer and Thickener for Cyclodextrin, alpha- (INS 457) under GMP conditions in specified food categoriesJECFA describes use as a carrier/stabilizer for flavours, colours, and sweeteners; as a water-solubilizer for fatty acids and certain vitamins; as a flavour modifier (e.g., in soya milk); and as an absorbent (e.g., in confectionery)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Starch (e.g., corn/potato) sourcing -> starch hydrolysis -> enzymatic conversion with cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase) -> recovery/purification (e.g., complex precipitation, chromatography, and/or membrane separation such as ultrafiltration/reverse osmosis) -> crystallization -> drying -> packaging -> distribution to food and supplement manufacturers
Demand Drivers- Formulation need for stabilization/thickening and carrier/solubilization functions in processed foods (Codex GSFA functional classes and permitted category coverage under GMP)
- Use as a dietary fibre/novel food ingredient in certain markets (EU authorization framework)
- Product-development demand for vegan/plant-based formulation tools in emulsions and foams (e.g., oil-in-water systems) and for sensory/flavour modulation applications (supplier positioning)
Shelf Life- Typically handled as a shelf-stable dry ingredient; some supplier programs state shelf life of at least 36 months when stored dry in sealed/original packaging at room temperature
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMarket access hinges on jurisdiction-specific regulatory positioning and labeling (e.g., Codex GSFA listing as INS 457 and EU authorization as a novel food ingredient with defined specifications). Misclassification, non-aligned labeling (synonyms), or use outside permitted conditions can trigger import refusals, recalls, or customer delisting even when product supply is available.Maintain a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction regulatory matrix (Codex/JECFA/EU and key destination rules), lock specifications to recognized monographs/authorizations, and ensure labeling uses permitted designations/synonyms for the target market.
Specification Conformance MediumAlpha-cyclodextrin is sold into regulated food chains that rely on identity/purity specifications (e.g., defined composition and minimum assay requirements in EU authorization). Off-spec purity/identity or variability from inadequate purification can lead to batch rejection and downstream formulation failures.Contract to recognized specifications (e.g., EU authorization/FCC/JECFA-aligned specs), implement robust incoming QC (identity/purity) and change-control for process aids and purification routes.
Feedstock And Input Cost Volatility MediumBecause alpha-cyclodextrin is produced enzymatically from hydrolyzed starch (with feedstocks commonly described as renewable plant materials such as potatoes and corn), disruptions in starch availability/pricing or enzyme/processing inputs can tighten supply and increase costs for food manufacturers using it as a functional additive or fibre ingredient.Diversify qualified suppliers and feedstock bases where possible, negotiate indexed contracts for key inputs, and hold safety stock for critical formulations that cannot be easily reformulated.
Sustainability- Upstream dependency on agricultural starch feedstocks (e.g., corn and potato), linking cost and availability to crop-market volatility and agricultural sustainability performance
- Energy and water intensity considerations in purification/separation and drying steps typical of carbohydrate ingredient manufacturing
FAQ
What is alpha-cyclodextrin in food applications?Alpha-cyclodextrin is a non-reducing cyclic saccharide (cyclohexaamylose) made of six glucose units that is used in foods mainly for functional roles such as stabilization/thickening and as a carrier/solubilizer for certain ingredients. Codex GSFA lists it as Cyclodextrin, alpha- (INS 457) with functional classes including stabilizer and thickener, and JECFA describes additional carrier and solubilization uses at intended use levels.
How is alpha-cyclodextrin manufactured?It is produced from hydrolyzed starch by enzymatic conversion using cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase). Recognized specifications describe recovery and purification routes such as complex precipitation followed by crystallization, chromatography (ion-exchange or gel filtration) followed by crystallization, and/or membrane separation methods like ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.
Is alpha-cyclodextrin recognized by international food-safety bodies?Yes. Codex GSFA lists Cyclodextrin, alpha- (INS 457) with permitted use under GMP in specified food categories, and the WHO JECFA database shows an evaluation for alpha-cyclodextrin with ADI "not specified" at intended use levels. In the EU, alpha-cyclodextrin has also been authorized as a novel food ingredient since 26 May 2008 under Commission Decision 2008/413/EC.