The interactions of the N-methylquinoline-3-amine (MMeAQ) with three cyclodextrins and micelles have been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. It is shown that cationic and neutral surfactants enhance the fluorescence quantum yield of the MMeAQ in water by breakup of aggregates of MMeAQ and incorporation into the micelles. However such enhancement is not observed in SDS micelle. The fluorescence enhancement of MMeAQ in beta-cyclodextrin host is rationalized in the light of the stoichiometry of the inclusion complexes. There is no such interaction is observed for alpha-CD and gamma-CD. Quantum chemical calculation has also been performed in order to support the experimental findings of cationic species. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.