The H2ONaCl–sucrose phase diagram and applications in cryobiology

Abstract

The liquidus surface of the primary ice phase field of the H2ONaCl–sucrose ternary system has been determined by differential thermal analysis (d.t.a.) techniques. Except in the region of high sucrose concentrations, the line of two-fold saturation bounding this field also was determined. Non-equilibrium glassy phases were formed throughout the system. The degree of metastability of these phases increases with sucrose concentration. At high sucrose levels, the metastability was such that detection of the line of two-fold saturation was precluded. In general, it was found that sucrose was less effective on a weight percent basis than dimethyl sulphoxide and glycerol in depressing the melting point of primary ice and, consequently, less effective in suppressing salt concentration effects at low temperatures in the liquid phase which is residual to primary ice formation.