Comparison of non-ideal solution theories for multi-solute solutions in cryobiology and tabulation of required coefficients

• Published in: Cryobiology 2014-10, Vol.69 (2), p.305-317
• Main Authors: Zielinski, Michal W., McGann, Locksley E., Nychka, John A., Elliott, Janet A.W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents - chemistry; Freezing; Freezing point summation; Modeling; Models, Chemical; Osmolality; Osmolar Concentration; Osmotic virial; Solutions - chemistry; Thermodynamics; Transition Temperature; Water - chemistry
• ISSN: 0011-2240; 1090-2392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2014.08.005

Thermodynamic solution theories allow the prediction of chemical potentials in solutions of known composition. In cryobiology, such models are a critical component of many mathematical models that are used to simulate the biophysical processes occurring in cells and tissues during cryopreservation. A number of solution theories, both thermodynamically ideal and non-ideal, have been proposed for use with cryobiological solutions. In this work, we have evaluated two non-ideal solution theories for predicting water chemical potential (i.e. osmolality) in multi-solute solutions relevant to cryobiology: the Elliott et al. form of the multi-solute osmotic virial equation, and the Kleinhans and Mazur freezing point summation model. These two solution theories require fitting to only single-solute data, although they can make predictions in multi-solute solutions. The predictions of these non-ideal solution theories were compared to predictions made using ideal dilute assumptions and to available literature multi-solute experimental osmometric data. A single, consistent set of literature single-solute solution data was used to fit for the required solute-specific coefficients for each of the non-ideal models. Our results indicate that the two non-ideal solution theories have similar overall performance, and both give more accurate predictions than ideal models. These results can be used to select between the non-ideal models for a specific multi-solute solution, and the updated coefficients provided in this work can be used to make the desired predictions.