Osmotic and activity coefficients of aqueous bile salt solutions at 25, 37, and 45°C

Osmotic coefficients measured by vapor pressure osmometry are reported for aqueous bile salt solutions at 25, 37, and 45°C. Solute activities decrease rapidly with increasing concentration due to premicellar association and micelle formation. In all cases, activities of the dihydroxy bile salts are lower than those of the trihydroxy bile salts. Osmotic coefficients and activity coefficients increase with increasing temperature. It is suggested that hydrophobic forces contribute substantially to the stability of primary bile salt aggregates and micelles.