Solubility and local structure around a dilute solute molecule in an aqueous solvent: From gases to biomolecules

A new approach regarding the solubility of various sparingly soluble solutes, such as proteins, drugs and gases, and the local structure around a solute molecule is presented. This approach is based on an expression for the activity coefficient derived through the Kirkwood–Buff fluctuation theory of solutions. First, an expression for the solubility of proteins in aqueous solutions in terms of the preferential binding parameter is derived and...