Ionic liquids (ILs) have been expecting as promising solvents in variety of areas. Studies have focused on ILs as a potential solvent in order to expand the applicability of biomolecules. However, ILs are rarely compatible with biomolecules, and it is difficult to dissolve biomolecules maintaining their original structures in ILs. On the other hand, some hydrated ILs (Hy ILs), which are mixed with small amounts of water, are able to dissolve biomolecules while maintaining the original structure of these molecules. Hy ILs composed of suitable component ions and water contents have been shown to act as an excellent solvent for stable dissolution of proteins and enzymes, showing longer term stability and higher thermal stability. Furthermore, some Hy ILs showed the dissolution of aggregated proteins followed by refolding behavior. Hy ILs are expected to develop as novel solvents for biomolecules by choosing component ions and water contents.
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