Some insight into the physical basis of the cryoprotective action of dimethyl sulfoxide and ethylene glycol.

In the determination of the solid-liquid phase equilibria in the aqueous mixtures of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) and ethylene glycol (EG) one often encounters the problem of equilibrium crystallization. In the present report the above aqueous solutions are equilibrated for crystallization in a dielectric cell during which the dielectric method is used for monitoring the extent of crystallization. The melting temperatures are then measured by using the dielectric technique in combination with the differential scanning calorimeter. The equilibrium phase diagram of Me2SO is found to be eutectic with two compounds formed of water and Me2SO in the ratio of 3:1 and 2:1. In the case of EG solutions it is eutectic with a 1:1 compound formation. It is suggested that the greater depression of the freezing point of water due to the complex formation and hence the attendant increase in the viscosity near the freezing point is the reason for the sluggish crystallization in these solutions. The variation of the glass transition temperature with composition is also examined in the above solutions along with the aqueous solutions of a number of other cryoprotectants. The glass-forming tendency of these solutions is discussed in terms of complex formation. An attempt is made to distinguish between good and bad glass-forming additives in terms of complex formation and ice clathrate formation. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.