Oiling out and solubility measurement, molecular simulation and thermodynamic properties of d-tagatose in four aqueous binary solvent systems at 283.15 to 323.15 K

Abstract

Solubility of D-Tagatose in four aqueous binary solvent systems from 278.15 K to 323.15 K was determined using the anti-solvent assisted gravimetric method. The solubility increases with temperature in all four binary solvents, with water, a good solvent, exhibiting a similar trend. In addition, the dissolution process generally follows the ’like dissolves like’ rule. The study indicates that the oiling out occurs when water exhibits a high molar fraction in water + 1-propanol, and water + isopropanol. Furthermore, we study the charge of the molecule using the molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPS), aiming to analyze the molecular interactions. Then, to explain the dissolution behaviors of D-tagatose, the radial distribution function (RDF) by molecular dynamics simulations (MD) revealed a strong correlation between solute–solvent interactions and solubility, with significant solvent–solvent interactions. The solubility data was correlated using the modified Apelblat equation, Van’t Hoff equation, λh equation, and Jouyban-Acree model, with demonstrating the high consistency in the data. Finally, the thermodynamic properties revealed that the dissolution process of D-Tagatose is endothermic, and entropy-driven based on all positive values for ${\Delta }_{sol}{H}^o$, ${\Delta }_{sol}{S}^o$, ${\Delta }_{sol}{G}^o$.