Solubilize

Solubilize is the process of making a solute dissolve in a solvent or increasing its apparent solubility, typically by adding a solubilizing agent. In practice, solubilization enables poorly soluble compounds to reach useful concentrations in solution.

Common approaches include micellar solubilization by surfactants, formation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins, and the use of co-solvents or solvent blends that reduce polarity or stabilize the solute. Mechanisms include hydrophobic solutes partitioning into micelle cores, host–guest encapsulation by cyclodextrins, and enhanced dissolution through improved solvent compatibility.

Factors influencing solubilization include temperature, pH, ionic strength, and the chemical properties of the solute (logP, size) as well as the solvent system.

Applications span pharmaceuticals (solubilizing poorly soluble drugs), cosmetics and foods (formulation of actives and flavors), environmental science (solubilizing hydrophobic contaminants to aid transport and degradation), and biochemistry (detergents solubilizing membrane proteins).

Difference from dissolution: solubilization emphasizes increasing apparent solubility via micelles, complexes, or co-solvents, while dissolution is the complete process of dissolving a substance in a solvent.

Examples: Drugs like itraconazole or paclitaxel are solubilized with surfactants; cyclodextrin complexes are used for vitamins.