Desolubilize

To cause a substance, typically one previously dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, to lose its solubility and separate out of solution, forming a solid, precipitate, or suspension. This process reverses solubilization, moving a substance from a homogeneous state (dissolved) to a heterogeneous one. The factors that can induce desolubilization are diverse, including changes in temperature, pH, the addition of a miscible non-solvent, or chemical reactions that alter the substance's structure, and the conditions under which it can be reversed vary greatly.

Desolubilize meaning with examples

• The addition of salt to the concentrated sugar solution caused the excess sugar to desolubilize and crystallize out. As the temperature of the liquid rapidly decreased, the dissolved solute became less able to maintain its dissolved state leading to separation from the solution. This is a common technique used in candy making to induce the desired texture through the controlled desolubilization of the sugar.
• During the purification process, the protein solution was slowly cooled, which caused certain proteins to desolubilize and form a precipitate. The resulting solid particles were then collected by filtration. Researchers carefully controlled the cooling rate to prevent the formation of an amorphous solid that would hamper the purification.
• After adjusting the pH, the heavy metal ions began to desolubilize, forming a solid sludge at the bottom of the tank. The careful manipulation of pH allowed for the extraction and recovery of the desired ions, a vital part of industrial processes used in the extraction of valuable components from industrial waste, protecting the environment.
• The gradual addition of a non-polar solvent to the aqueous solution forced the lipids to desolubilize and aggregate, forming micelles. The micelle formation, a fundamental process in many biological systems, is influenced by temperature, concentration, and the nature of the solvent. The reverse, the solubilization of the lipids is essential to biological functions.
• As the enzymatic reaction progressed, the product accumulated and began to desolubilize, forming visible crystals within the solution. Researchers used advanced imaging to observe the crystallization process. Careful analysis of the crystals' structure would give insights into the reaction pathway as the enzymes drove the products to the point of desolubilization.