The partial molar volume and partial molar adiabatic compressibilities at infinite dilution Of DL-aminobutanoic acid, DL-norvaline, beta-alanine, 4-aminobutanoic acid, 5-aminopentanoic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid and glycylglycine have been obtained in water and aqueous solutions of (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) mol center dot kg(-1) sodium sulphate at (288.15, 298.15 and 308.15) K from measurements of density and ultrasonic velocity. A qualitative interpretation of the results has been given using the Kirkwood model and nature of the interactions in solutions. A model, derived from Scaled Particle Theory, has been used for quantitative explanation of partial molar volumes and for the understanding the volumes of interaction. The results distinguish the behaviour of alpha-amino acids from that of alpha,omega-amino acids, and of the "less polar" 5-aminopentanoic acid from that of the analogous, but "more polar", glycylglycine in solution. These findings are in agreement with previous studies in aqueous solutions and they support the water-structure making ability of sodium sulphate. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.