The inclusion complex formation of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) in γcyclodextrin (γCD) was investigated. There are already several reports about the complex formation of several kinds of catechin in β or γCD, but no report about EGCg in γCD. 1 HNMR spectra and UV absorption spectra gave the proof of the inclusion complex formation of EGCg in γCD and the binding constant EGCg in γCD was similar to that of gallocatechin gallate (GCg) in γCD, which was previously reported. The effect

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... the complex formation on the antioxidant activity of EGCg was also investigated. The antioxidant activity of EGCg against DPPH radical was not inhibited but slightly enhanced by the complex formation in γCD. These data gave the proof of the inclusion complex formation of EGCg in γCD for the first time. As EGCg shows the strongest antioxidant activity among the series of catechins and γCD adapts highly to the food safety regulation compared with other CDs, the inclusion complex formation of EGCg in γCD is valuable in the field of pharmaceutics, cosmetics and food industries.