Abstract: In this study, a new complex of hesperidin and chitooligosaccharide (Hesp-COS) was prepared by spray drying method in order to improve the water solubility and utilization of hesperidin. The physical and chemical properties of the Hesp-COS complex were studied by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that hesperidin and chitooligosaccharides were interacted to form a stable complex through non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds or van der Waals force. The water solubility of this complex was improved significantly by as high as 3.8 folds, and its antioxidant capacity was also greatly enhanced as indicated by an increase in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (94.38%) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt scavenging activity (17.37%) compared with that (83.72% and 9.15%, respectively) of hesperidin.

Key words: hesperidin, chitooligosaccharide, complex, solubility, antioxidant