Hofmeister Effect

The Hofmeister Effect describes how different ions influence the behavior of proteins and other molecules in water, affecting processes like stability and solubility. Some ions "stabilize" proteins, making them more soluble, while others "destabilize" or cause proteins to stick together or precipitate. This occurs because ions interact with water and the molecules’ surfaces differently, altering the structure of water and how molecules associate. Understanding this effect helps in various fields, such as pharmaceuticals and biochemistry, where controlling protein behavior is crucial.