Preparation and characterization of Mentha x villosa Hudson oil–β-cyclodextrin complex

Inclusion complex between the essential oil of Mentha x villosa Hudson and β-cyclodextrin, with a 1:9 mass/mass oil–β-cyclodextrin ratio was prepared by co-precipitation and kneading methods in a hydroethanolic medium. The GC/MS analysis showed a total volatile content of 99.5% in the Mentha x villosa oil. The characterization of the complex involved the analysis of the original essential oil, the surface and the total extracted oils. Among 28 detected compounds in the original essential oil, 13 are monoterpenes and 10 sesquiterpenes, furthermore, piperitenone-oxide is the major component (35.4%). 12 compounds were totally and 11 partially complexed, 3 have been adsorbed only on the surface of the β-CD and 2 have not been detected neither in the surface oil nor in the complexed oil. A 13.6% encapsulation efficiency was observed, while the total oil and volatiles retention was 15 and 77%, respectively. Non-parametric statistic analysis of the data showed that the profile of the volatiles were not significantly different comparing the original oil and the complexed oil (p>0.04). The results of thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry and XRD analysis have proven the inclusion complex formation between the essential oil and cyclodextrin.