Abstract: Object: To study properties of α-cyclodextrin inclusion compound of lutein esters. Methods: Inclusion process was evaluated by UV spectroscopy and then binding constants was calculated, inclusion compound was prepared by trituration method, lutein solubility was used as the index to determine the appropriate inclusion ratio, inclusion compound was confirmed by differential thermal analysis, infrared diffuse reflection spectrum and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectrum, the solubility and the stability of α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin and mixed cyclodextrins inclusion compounds of lutein esters were compared.Results: inclusion constants of lutein esters/α-cyclodextrin was 127 L/mol, optimum inclusion mass ratio of lutein esters andα-cyclodextrin was 1 ∶ 5, the solubility of α-cyclodextrin inclusion compound was improved by more 6 times that of lutein esters, the stability of inclusion compound was enhanced.Conclusions: α-cyclodextrin is superior to β-cyclodextrin and mixed cyclodextrins in preparation of lutein esters inclusion complex.