Enhanced solubility of curcumin by complexation with fermented cyclic β-1,2-glucans.

Curcumin (CUR) is a low-solubility polyphenolic compound with many physiological functions. Cyclic β-1,2-glucans (cyclosophoraoses [Cys]), which contain rings of different sizes with degrees of polymerization ranging from 17 to 23, were obtained from Rhizobium radiobacter ATCC 1333, a soil microorganism. The complexation ability and solubility enhancement of cyclic β-1,2-glucans with insoluble curcumin were investigated.