139
UV absorbers used in sunscreen cosmetics can be improved by inclusion complexation. Later, the authors demonstrated that randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin was
the best solubilizing agent of UVA and UVB filters (Fenyvesi et al. 2004).
The same year, the solubility of β-cyclodextrin was studied in aqueous solutions
of various organic acids (Fenyvesi et al. 1999a). The hydroxyl acids such as citric
and tartaric acids were found to increase the solubility of β-cyclodextrin, while
other carboxylic acids reduced it. From solubility data, the apparent complex association constants were calculated. The authors have also discovered that the inclusion complexes with hydroxyl acids as ternary components may have an outstanding
solubility (Chiesi et al. 1994).
In 2004, the biodegradation of several types of cyclodextrins, e.g., acetylated αand β-cyclodextrins and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, under laboratory-controlled
composting conditions was investigated (Verstichel et al. 2004). Fully acetylated
cyclodextrins were found to be nonbiodegradable during 45 days of composting.
Reducing the degree of acetylation had a positive effect on the biodegradation. The
authors also showed that the incorporation of antimicrobial agents, e.g., imazalil,
into cyclodextrins might open new possibilities for active packaging. The low concentration of the inclusion products in the final packaging did not affect the biodegradability of the biodegradable packaging under composting conditions.
The last paper of Professor Szejtli was published in 2005 in the journal Journal
of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry (Fig. 2.5) where he tried to
respond to the following fact: “The increase in number of marketed drug/cyclodextrin formulations is so slow” (Szejtli 2005). Another important question was “Which
cyclodextrin for what purpose?” A possible response was given in Table 2.7
(Szejtli 2005).
2.6 Conclusions
This chapter is a tribute to the immense scientific career of Professor József Szejtli.
We have attempted to highlight his many scientific achievements and also provided
insight into his formative years and into the importance of cyclodextrin community
in his life.
Professor Szejtli has devoted his life to cyclodextrins, and he is considered to be
the “Godfather of Cyclodextrins.” He is distinguished not only for his contribution
to chemistry, biology, and technology of cyclodextrins but also for his important
contribution to the dissemination of knowledge about cyclodextrins from the end of
the 1970s. Professor Szejtli was a giant among cyclodextrin chemists, an eminent
scientist and visionary, a businessman, a wonderful mentor, and a warm, friendly,
and generous communicator.
Professor Szejtli did attract and recruit young scientists by his own enthusiasm
and oversee the everyday research at the lab, thus creating a dedicated team under
his mentorship. Teaching and convincing his carefully selected young co-workers
about the usefulness of cyclodextrins is probably one of the most important reasons
2 Professor József Szejtli: The Godfather of Cyclodextrins
UV absorbers used in sunscreen cosmetics can be improved by inclusion complexation. Later, the authors demonstrated that randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin was
the best solubilizing agent of UVA and UVB filters (Fenyvesi et al. 2004).
The same year, the solubility of β-cyclodextrin was studied in aqueous solutions
of various organic acids (Fenyvesi et al. 1999a). The hydroxyl acids such as citric
and tartaric acids were found to increase the solubility of β-cyclodextrin, while
other carboxylic acids reduced it. From solubility data, the apparent complex association constants were calculated. The authors have also discovered that the inclusion complexes with hydroxyl acids as ternary components may have an outstanding
solubility (Chiesi et al. 1994).
In 2004, the biodegradation of several types of cyclodextrins, e.g., acetylated αand β-cyclodextrins and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, under laboratory-controlled
composting conditions was investigated (Verstichel et al. 2004). Fully acetylated
cyclodextrins were found to be nonbiodegradable during 45 days of composting.
Reducing the degree of acetylation had a positive effect on the biodegradation. The
authors also showed that the incorporation of antimicrobial agents, e.g., imazalil,
into cyclodextrins might open new possibilities for active packaging. The low concentration of the inclusion products in the final packaging did not affect the biodegradability of the biodegradable packaging under composting conditions.
The last paper of Professor Szejtli was published in 2005 in the journal Journal
of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry (Fig. 2.5) where he tried to
respond to the following fact: “The increase in number of marketed drug/cyclodextrin formulations is so slow” (Szejtli 2005). Another important question was “Which
cyclodextrin for what purpose?” A possible response was given in Table 2.7
(Szejtli 2005).
2.6 Conclusions
This chapter is a tribute to the immense scientific career of Professor József Szejtli.
We have attempted to highlight his many scientific achievements and also provided
insight into his formative years and into the importance of cyclodextrin community
in his life.
Professor Szejtli has devoted his life to cyclodextrins, and he is considered to be
the “Godfather of Cyclodextrins.” He is distinguished not only for his contribution
to chemistry, biology, and technology of cyclodextrins but also for his important
contribution to the dissemination of knowledge about cyclodextrins from the end of
the 1970s. Professor Szejtli was a giant among cyclodextrin chemists, an eminent
scientist and visionary, a businessman, a wonderful mentor, and a warm, friendly,
and generous communicator.
Professor Szejtli did attract and recruit young scientists by his own enthusiasm
and oversee the everyday research at the lab, thus creating a dedicated team under
his mentorship. Teaching and convincing his carefully selected young co-workers
about the usefulness of cyclodextrins is probably one of the most important reasons
2 Professor József Szejtli: The Godfather of Cyclodextrins