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Human leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease which affects nearly 1.5 million people every year, with Mexico being an important endemic region. One of the major defense mechanisms of these parasites is based in the polyamine metabolic pathway, as it provides the necessary compounds for its survival. Among the enzymes in this route, trypanothione reductase (TryR), an oxidoreductase enzyme, is crucial for the Leishmania genus' survival against oxidative stress. Thus, it poses as an attractive drug target, yet due to the size and features of its catalytic pocket, modeling techniques such as molecular docking focusing on that region is not convenient. Herein, we present a computational study using several structure-based approaches to assess the druggability of TryR from L. mexicana, the predominant Leishmania species in Mexico, beyond its catalytic site. Using this consensus methodology, three relevant pockets were found, of which the one we call σ-site promises to be the most favorable one. These findings may help the design of new drugs of trypanothione-related diseases.

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Solubility is one of the most important physicochemical properties due to its involvement in physiological (bioavailability), industrial (design) and environmental (biotoxicity) processes, and in this regard, cosolvency is one of the best strategies to increase the solubility of poorly soluble drugs in aqueous systems. Thus, the aim of this research is to thermodynamically evaluate the dissolution process of triclocarban (TCC) in cosolvent mixtures of {N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) + water (W)} at seven temperatures (288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15 K). Solubility is determined by UV/vis spectrophotometry using the flask-shaking method. The dissolution process of the TCC is endothermic and strongly dependent on the cosolvent composition, achieving the minimum solubility in pure water and the maximum solubility in NMP. The activity coefficient decreases from pure water to NMP, reaching values less than one, demonstrating the excellent positive cosolvent effect of NMP, which is corroborated by the negative values of the Gibbs energy of transfer. In general terms, the dissolution process is endothermic, and the increase in TCC solubility may be due to the affinity of TCC with NMP, in addition to the water de-structuring capacity of NMP generating a higher number of free water molecules.

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The solubility of drugs in cosolvent systems of pharmaceutical interest is of great importance for understanding and optimizing a large number of processes. Here, we report the solubility of isoniazid in nine (PEG 200 + water) cosolvent mixtures at nine temperatures (278.15, 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 318.15 K) determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry. From the solubility data, the thermodynamic solution, mixing, and transfer functions were calculated in addition to performing the enthalpy-entropy compensation analysis. The solubility of isoniazid depends on the concentration of PEG 200 (positive cosolvent effect) and temperature (endothermic process) reaching its maximum solubility in pure PEG 200 at 318.15 K and the lowest solubility in pure water at 278.15 K. The solution process is favored by the solution entropy and according to the enthalpy-entropy compensation analysis it is driven by entropy in mixtures rich in water and by enthalpy in mixtures rich in PEG 200.

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In the category of functional low-affinity interactions, small ligands may interact with multiple protein sites in a highly degenerate manner. Better conceived as a partition phenomenon at the molecular interface of proteins, such low-affinity interactions appear to be hidden to our current experimental resolution making their structural and functional characterization difficult in the low concentration regime of physiological processes. Characterization of the partition phenomenon under higher chemical forces could be a relevant strategy to tackle the problem provided the results can be scaled back to the low concentration range. Far from being trivial, such scaling demands a concentration-dependent understanding of self-interactions of the ligands, structural perturbations of the protein, among other molecular effects. Accordingly, we elaborate a novel and detailed concentration-dependent thermodynamic analysis of the partition process of small ligands aiming at characterizing the stability and structure of the dilute phenomenon from high concentrations. In analogy to an "aggregate" binding constant of a small molecule over multiple sites of a protein receptor, the model defines the stability of the process as a macroscopic equilibrium constant for the partition number of ligands that can be used to analyze biochemical and functional data of two-component systems driven by low-affinity interactions. Acquisition of such modeling-based structural information is expected to be highly welcome by revealing more traceable protein-binding spots for non-specific ligands.

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Phaeodactylum tricornutum is the marine diatom best known for high-value compounds that are useful in aquaculture and food area. In this study, fucoxanthin was first extracted from the diatom using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and then using the extracted diatom-like substrate to produce bioenergy through anaerobic digestion (AD) processes. Factors such as temperature (30 °C and 50 °C), pressure (20, 30, and 40 MPa), and ethanol (co-solvent concentration from 10% to 50% v/v) were optimized for improving the yield, purity, and recovery of fucoxanthin extracted using SFE. The highest yield (24.41% w/w) was obtained at 30 MPa, 30 °C, and 30% ethanol but the highest fucoxanthin purity and recovery (85.03mg/g extract and 66.60% w/w, respectively) were obtained at 30 MPa, 30 °C, and 40%ethanol. Furthermore, ethanol as a factor had the most significant effect on the overall process of SFE. Subsequently, P.tricornutum biomass and SFE-extracted diatom were used as substrates for biogas production through AD. The effect of fucoxanthin was studied on the yield of AD, which resulted in 77.15 ± 3.85 LSTP CH4/kg volatile solids (VS) and 56.66 ± 1.90 LSTP CH4/kg VS for the whole diatom and the extracted P.tricornutum, respectively. Therefore, P.tricornutuman can be considered a potential source of fucoxanthin and methane and both productions will contribute to the sustainability of the algae-biorefinery processes.

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SUMMARY Aim: extended Hildebrand Solubility Approach (EHSA) and Yalkowsky Roseman (YR) were applied to evaluate the solubility of sulfadiazine, and sulfamethazine in ethylene glycol + water mixtures. Methodology: reported experimental equilibrium solubilities and some fusion properties of these drugs were used for the calculations. Results: a good predictive character of EHSA (with mean deviations lower than 3.0%) were found by using regular polynomials in order two correlating the inter-action parameter W with the Hildebrand solubility parameter of solvent mixtures without drug; however, the results obtained from YR model show relatively high deviations greater than 50%.

Objetivo: aplicar los enfoques de los modelos de Solubilidad Extendido de Hildebrand (EHSA) y Yalkowsky Roseman (YR) para evaluar la solubilidad de sulfadiazina y sulfametazina en mezclas de etilenglicol + agua. Metodología: para los cálculos se utilizaron las solubilidades experimentales en equilibrio reportadas y algunas propiedades de fusión de estos fármacos. Resultados: en particular, se encontró un buen carácter predictivo de EHSA (con desviaciones medias inferiores al 3,0%) utilizando polinomios regulares en orden dos correlacionando el parámetro de interacción W con el parámetro de solubilidad de Hildebrand de mezclas de disolventes sin fármaco; sin embargo, los resultados obtenidos del modelo YR muestran desviaciones relativamente altas superiores al 50%.

Objetivo: aplicar as abordagens dos modelos de Solubilidade Estendida de Hildebrand (EHSA) e Yalkowsky Roseman (YR) para avaliar a solubilidade de sulfadiazina e sulfametazina em misturas de etilenoglicol + água. Metodologia: as solubilidades de equilíbrio experimental relatadas e algumas propriedades de fusão dessas drogas foram usadas para os cálculos. Resultados: em particular, foi encontrado um bom caráter preditivo de EHSA (com desvios médios menores que 3,0%) usando polinômios regulares na ordem dois, correlacionando o parâmetro de interação W com o parâmetro de solubilidade de Hildebrand de misturas de solventes sem fármaco; no entanto, os resultados obtidos com o modelo YR mostram desvios relativamente altos superiores a 50%.

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Hierarchically porous materials, such as wrinkled mesoporous silica (WMS), have gained interest in the last couple of decades, because of their wide range of applications in fields such as nanomedicine, energy, and catalysis. The mechanism of formation of these nanostructures is not fully understood, despite various groups reporting very comprehensive studies. Furthermore, achieving particle diameters of 100 nm or less has proven difficult. In this study, the effects on particle size, pore size, and particle morphology of several co-solvents were evaluated. Additionally, varying concentrations of acid during synthesis affected the particle sizes, yielding particles smaller than 100 nm. The morphology and physical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Homogeneous and spherical WMS, with the desired radial wrinkle morphology and particle sizes smaller than 100 nm, were obtained. The effect of the nature of the co-solvents and the concentration of acid are explained within the frame of previously reported mechanisms of formation, to further elucidate this intricate process.

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The interaction between a protein and its ligands is one of the basic and most important processes in biological chemistry. Docking methods aim to predict the molecular 3D structure of protein-ligand complexes starting from coordinates of the protein and the ligand separately. They are widely used in both industry and academia, especially in the context of drug development projects. AutoDock4 is one of the most popular docking tools and, as for any docking method, its performance is highly system dependent. Knowledge about specific protein-ligand interactions on a particular target can be used to successfully overcome this limitation. Here, we describe how to apply the AutoDock Bias protocol, a simple and elegant strategy that allows users to incorporate target-specific information through a modified scoring function that biases the ligand structure towards those poses (or conformations) that establish selected interactions. We discuss two examples using different bias sources. In the first, we show how to steer dockings towards interactions derived from crystal structures of the receptor with different ligands; in the second example, we define and apply hydrophobic biases derived from Molecular Dynamics simulations in mixed solvents. Finally, we discuss general concepts of biased docking, its performance in pose prediction, and virtual screening campaigns as well as other potential applications.

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Endophytic fungi have been highlight in the production of secondary metabolites with different bioactive properties, such as in the production of the antioxidant compounds. Therefore, the objective of this work was the extraction of the antioxidant compounds from the biomass of Diaporthe schini using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) without and with ethanol as cosolvent. The biomass was produced by submerged fermentation and the parameters evaluated in the extraction process were: pressure (150-250 bar), temperature (40-60 ºC) and cosolvent [biomass: cosolvent ratio, 1:0, 1:0.75 and 1:1.5 (w/v)]. Extraction yield, antioxidant activity and chemical composition of the extracts were determined. The highest extraction yield (3.24 wt.%) and the best antioxidant activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (96.62%) were obtained at 40 ºC, 250 bar and biomass:cosolvent ratio of 1:1.5 (w/v). The chemical compounds 1,4-diaza-2,5-dioxo-3-isobutyl bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane and benzeneethanol identified in GC/MS could be responsible for the antioxidant activity found in this study.

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SUMMARY Solubility data of bioactive compound such as ethylparaben (EtP) are important for the scientific and community. Therefore, in present study, solubility, solution thermodynamics and solute-solvent interactions (at molecular level) of EtP in nine cosolvent mixtures (1-propanol {n-PrOH) (1) + methanol (MeOH) (2)} including pure solvent (methanol and 1-propanol) at three different temperatures, i.e. (T = 283.2 K, 298.2 K, and 313.2 K) and constant pressure (p = 0.1 MPa) were studied. Experimental solubility of EtP (expressed in mole fraction) was observed highest in n-PrOH at 313.2 K, so, mole fraction solubility of EtP (x3) increases when temperature arises and increases with n-PrOH proportion increasing. Ideal solubilities of EtP were estimated using their thermal parameters at three different temperatures. Ideal solubilities of EtP were observed similar to experimental solubilities of EtP at each temperature. With the help of ideal solubilities of EtP, activity coefficients were estimated. Based on estimated values of activity coefficients, highest interactions at molecular level were observed in rich-MeOH mixtures. Apparent thermodynamic analysis data showed endothermic and enthalpy-driven dissolution of EtP in each solvent and mixture studied. Solubility behavior was adequately correlated by means of the van't Hoff and Yalkowsky-Roseman models combined.

RESUMEN La solubilidad de compuestos bioactivos como el etilparabeno (EtP) es importante para la comunidad científica. Por lo tanto, en el presente estudio se reportan la solubilidad, termodinámica de solución e interacciones soluto-solvente (a nivel molecular) del EtP en nueve mezclas de cosolventes {1-propanol (n-PrOH) (1) + metanol (MeOH) (2)} incluyendo los solventes puros (metanol y 1-propanol) a tres temperaturas diferentes, (T = 283,2 K, 298,15 K y 313,2 K) y a presión constante ( p = 0,1 MPa). La solubilidad experimental más alta del EtP (expresadas en fracción molar) se registró en n-PrOH a 313,15 K, así, la solubilidad en fracción molar de EtP aumenta cuando la temperatura aumenta y la proporción de n-PrOH aumentan. Las solubilidades ideales de EtP se estimaron utilizando los parámetros térmicos a tres temperaturas diferentes. Las solubilidades ideales de EtPa son similares a las solubilidades experimentales de EtP a cada temperatura. A partir de las solubilidades ideales de EtP se estimaron los coeficientes de actividad y sobre la base de los valores estimados de los coeficientes de actividad, se define que las interacciones más altas a nivel molecular se registraron en mezclas ricas en MeOH. Los datos aparentes del análisis termodinámico mostraron un proceso endotérmico con conducción entálpica para el EtP cada uno de los solventes y mezclas de solventes estudiados. El comportamiento de solubilidad se correlacionó adecuadamente mediante los modelos de van't Hoff y Yalkowsky-Roseman combinados.

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Simulations of molecular dynamics (MD) are playing an increasingly important role in structure-based drug discovery (SBDD). Here we review the use of MD for proteins in aqueous solvation, organic/aqueous mixed solvents (MDmix) and with small ligands, to the classic SBDD problems: Binding mode and binding free energy predictions. The simulation of proteins in their condensed state reveals solvent structures and preferential interaction sites (hot spots) on the protein surface. The information provided by water and its cosolvents can be used very effectively to understand protein ligand recognition and to improve the predictive capability of well-established methods such as molecular docking. The application of MD simulations to the study of the association of proteins with drug-like compounds is currently only possible for specific cases, as it remains computationally very expensive and labor intensive. MDmix simulations on the other hand, can be used systematically to address some of the common tasks in SBDD. With the advent of new tools and faster computers we expect to see an increase in the application of mixed solvent MD simulations to a plethora of protein targets to identify new drug candidates.

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Thermophilic and thermotolerant micro-organisms strains have served as the natural source of industrially relevant and thermostable enzymes. Although some strains of the Trametes genus are thermotolerant, few Trametes strains were studied at the temperature above 30 °C until now. In this paper, the laccase activity and the mycelial growth rate for Trametes trogii LK13 are superior at 37 °C. Thermostability and organic cosolvent tolerance assays of the laccase produced at 37 °C indicated that the enzyme possessed fair thermostability with 50% of its initial activity at 80 °C for 5 min, and could remain 50% enzyme activity treated with organic cosolvent at the concentration range of 25%-50% (v/v). Furthermore, the test on production of laccase and lignocellulolytic enzymes showed the crude enzymes possessed high laccase level (1000 U g (-1) ) along with low cellulose (2 U g (-1) ) and xylanase (140 U g (-1) ) activity. Thus, T. trogii LK13 is a potential strain to be applied in many biotechnological processes.

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Thermophilic and thermotolerant micro-organisms strains have served as the natural source of industrially relevant and thermostable enzymes. Although some strains of the Trametes genus are thermotolerant, few Trametes strains were studied at the temperature above 30 °C until now. In this paper, the laccase activity and the mycelial growth rate for Trametes trogii LK13 are superior at 37 °C. Thermostability and organic cosolvent tolerance assays of the laccase produced at 37 °C indicated that the enzyme possessed fair thermostability with 50% of its initial activity at 80 °C for 5 min, and could remain 50% enzyme activity treated with organic cosolvent at the concentration range of 25%–50% (v/v). Furthermore, the test on production of laccase and lignocellulolytic enzymes showed the crude enzymes possessed high laccase level (1000 U g−1) along with low cellulose (2 U g−1) and xylanase (140 U g−1) activity. Thus, T. trogii LK13 is a potential strain to be applied in many biotechnological processes.

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Thermophilic and thermotolerant micro-organisms strains have served as the natural source of industrially relevant and thermostable enzymes. Although some strains of the Trametes genus are thermotolerant, few Trametes strains were studied at the temperature above 30 °C until now. In this paper, the laccase activity and the mycelial growth rate for Trametes trogii LK13 are superior at 37 °C. Thermostability and organic cosolvent tolerance assays of the laccase produced at 37 °C indicated that the enzyme possessed fair thermostability with 50% of its initial activity at 80 °C for 5 min, and could remain 50% enzyme activity treated with organic cosolvent at the concentration range of 25%–50% (v/v). Furthermore, the test on production of laccase and lignocellulolytic enzymes showed the crude enzymes possessed high laccase level (1000 U g−1) along with low cellulose (2 U g−1) and xylanase (140 U g−1) activity. Thus, T. trogii LK13 is a potential strain to be applied in many biotechnological processes.(AU)

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En la presente investigación se evaluó la validez de una adaptación específica del modelo de Jouyban-Acree ( J-A), en comparación con la utilidad de la ecuación logarítmica-lineal de solubilidad propuesta por Yalkowsky y Roseman (Y-R), para estimar la solubilidad del ketoprofeno (KTP) en algunas mezclas cosolventes propilenoglicol + agua, en función de la composición cosolvente y de la temperatura, en el intervalo entre 293,15 y 313,15 K. Los modelos de J-A y Y-R requieren únicamente de los valores experimentales de la solubilidad en equilibrio del fármaco en los solventes puros a las diferentes temperaturas de interés. Desafiando las ecuaciones frente a valores experimentales de solubilidad, se encontró que los valores predichos por los dos modelos semiempíricos son bastante similares entre sí (difiriendo en un promedio de 0,05 unidades logarítmicas naturales), y que además, presentan algunas desviaciones notorias respecto a los valores experimentales, en particular con el modelo Y-R. Estos resultados demostraron la necesidad de mejorar las estrategias teóricas para la estimación de esta propiedad, y así mismo, demostraron la importancia de la determinación experimental de la solubilidad, en función de la temperatura, en todas aquellas mezclas cosolventes que puedan ser útiles durante el proceso de diseño de productos farmacéuticos.

The feasibility of a trained version of the Jouyban-Acree ( J-A) model was evaluated in this research to predict the solubility of ketoprofen (KTP) in some propylene glycol + water cosolvent mixtures. The usefulness of the solubility log-linear equation proposed by Yalkowsky and Roseman (Y-R) was also evaluated for the same drug in this cosolvent system. The solubility estimation was studied as a function of temperature and cosolvent composition. The J-A and Y-R models require only the experimental equilibrium solubility values in the pure solvents at all the temperatures evaluated. The estimated solubility values obtained by using both semiempiric models were similar between them (differing in 0.05 natural logarithmic units), but they present notorious deviations with respect to the experimental values, in particular the Y-R model. These results demonstrated that it is necessary to improve the theoretical strategies for estimating this property, and on the other hand, they also demonstrated the great importance of the experimental determination of drugs solubility in those cosolvent mixtures useful in dosage forms design.

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En este estudio se evaluó la eficiencia de tres solventes orgánicos (acetato de etilo, metanol y acetona) empleados como cosolventes en la extracción con fluidos supercríticos (EFS) de una mezcla de plaguicidas con diferentes características fisicoquímicas. Los análisis se realizaron por medio de cromatografía de gases con detección simultánea por microcaptura electrónica (µECD) y nitrógeno-fósforo (NPD) acoplados en paralelo. Se hicieron extracciones a muestras de suelo fortificadas con los plaguicidas empleando dióxido de carbono supercrítico (CO2SC) como fase extractante a 35 °C y 14 MPa adicionando 10 mL de cada cosolvente. Se encontró que el metanol ofrece la mayor eficiencia en el proceso de extracción obteniendo valores de recuperación entre 51,24 y 123,50%.

In this study, three organic solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol and acetone) were used as cosolvent in supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of a mixture of pesticides with different physical and chemical properties present in soil. These pesticides were determined by gas chromatography with electronic microcapture detector (µECD) and nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD), coupled in parallel. The extractions were performed on spiked soil samples using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2SC) as the extracting phase to 35 °C and 14 MPa, using 10 mL of each cosolvent and it was found that methanol offers the greatest efficiency in the extraction process obtaining recovery values between 51.24 and 123.50%.

No estudo se avaliou três solventes orgânicos (acetato de etila, metanol e acetona), como cosolvente em a extração com fluido supercrítico (EFS) de uma mixtura de praguicidas com diferentes propiedades física e química (organoclorados, or-ganofosforados, organonitrogenados e piretróides) presentes no solo, determinadas por cromatografia gaseosa com in-jecção pulsed splitless e detecção simultânea por µECD e nitrogênio-fósforo (NPD) acoplados em paralelo, as extrações foram realizadas em amostras de solo fortificadas, usando dióxido de carbono (CO2), como a fase de extração a 35 °C 14 MPa, com 10 mL de cada solvente e constatamos que o metanol oferece a maior eficiência da remoção de todos os pragui-cidas e obter recuperação valores entre 51,24 e 123,50%.

RESUMO

En la presente investigación, el Método Extendido de Solubilidad de Hildebrand (MESH), desarrollado por Martin y cols . se ha aplicado al estudio de la solubilidad del ibuprofén (IBP) y del naproxén (NAP) en mezclas binarias propilenoglicol + etanol a 298,15 K ± 0,05 K. Se han utilizado los volúmenes molares aparentes de los solutos y las fracciones volumétricas de los solvente en las respectivas soluciones saturadas. Se encontró una adecuada capacidad predictiva del MESH al utilizar modelos polinómicos regulares de cuarto orden para IBP y de tercer orden para NAP, relacionando el parámetro de interacción W con el parámetro de solubilidad de las mezclas solventes. Sin embargo, las desviaciones obtenidas en la solubilidad estimada, respecto a los valores experimentales, fueron de magnitud semejante a las obtenidas al calcular esta propiedad directamente, utilizando regresiones empíricas de la solubilidad experimental de los fármacos en función del parámetro de solubilidad de las mezclas cosolventes.

In this work the Extended Hildebrand Solubility Approach (EHSA) developed by Martin et al ., has been applied to evaluate the solubility of ibuprofen (IBP) and naproxen (NAP) in propylene glycol + ethanol cosolvent mixtures at 298.15 K ± 0.05 K. Apparent molar volumes of the solutes and the volumetric fraction of the solvents in the saturated solutions were employed. A good predictive capacity of EHSA was found using regular polynomial models of order four for IBP and of order three for NAP, when the W interaction parameter was related to the solubility parameter of the solvent mixtures. Nevertheless, the deviations obtained for the estimated solubility respect to experimental solubility were of the same order as compared with those obtained directly using empiric regressions of the experimental solubilities as a function of the cosolvent solubility parameters.

Neste trabalho a aproximação ampliada da solubilidade de Hildebrand (AASH) desenvolvida por Martin e colaboradores, foi aplicada para avaliar a solubilidade de ibuprofeno e naproxeno em misturas cosolvente do propileno glicol + etanol do 298,15 K ± 0.05 K. Os volumes molares aparentes dos solutos e a fração volumétrica dos solventes nas soluções saturadas foram empregados. Uma boa capacidade predictiva de AASH foi encontrada do usar um modelo polinomial regular em ordem quatro para IBP e em ordem três para a NAP, quando o parâmetro da interação W foi relacionado ao parâmetro da solubilidade das misturas dos solventes. Não obstante, os desvios obtidos na solubilidade estimada respeito aos valores experimentais foram na mesma ordem comparada com as aquelas obtidas diretamente usando regressões empíricas das solubilidades experimentais em função dos parâmetros da solubilidade dos cosolventes.