The slightly water-soluble flavonoid quercetin (QUE) and its inclusion with either beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-betaCD) or sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE-betaCD) were investigated. The stoichiometric ratios and stability constants describing the extent of formation of the complexes have been determined by phase-solubility measurements; in all cases type-A(L) diagrams have been obtained (soluble 1:1 complexes). The results showed that the inclusion ability of betaCD and its derivatives was the order: SBE-betaCD>HP-betaCD>betaCD. Kinetic studies of DPPH with QUE and CDs complexes were done. The results obtained indicated that the QUE-SBE-betaCD complex was the most reactive form. The scavenging capability of QUE and CDs complexes with DPPH and galvinoxyl was studied using ESR spectroscopy. All complexes showed a higher scavenging capability with both radicals, compare quercetin in water. Beside, these results indicated that the complexes formed maintained the quercetin antioxidant activity.