Analyzing the interactions between 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate and bovine serum albumin under coexistence and encapsulation of β-cyclodextrin

2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC), a UV filter commonly used in sunscreen products, is also an emerging environmental pollutant that interferes with the structure and function of bovine serum albumin (BSA). A study was conducted on the interaction between EHMC and BSA when they coexist and are encapsulated within β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Multiple spectra demonstrate, both qualitatively and quantitatively, that β-CD coexistence and encapsulation weaken the interaction between EHMC and BSA, resulting in a more difficult binding process between the two and inhibiting EHMC-induced conformational changes in BSA. Once encapsulated by β-CD, the inclusion complex (IC) was weakly bound to BSA (K_b=(7.63 ± 0.01)×10⁴ M^-1), and it had no significant impact on BSA's structure. Despite this, β-CD did not significantly alter EHMC's UV shielding ability.