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To view a complete list of buffers, please visit the Buffer Explorer.



Biological Buffers





Introduction List of Zwitterionic Buffers
pKa Value and Buffer Range of important Biological Buffers List Buffer Solutions
List of all buffer products
List of Common Buffers References


Introduction

A buffer, as defined by Van Slyke [1], is "a substance which by its presence in solution increases the amount of acid or alkali that must be added to cause unit change in pH". Buffers are thus very important components in experiments designed to study biological reactions by maintaining a constant concentration of hydrogen ions within the physiological range. The pH of mammalian blood is maintained close to 7.38 by buffer systems such as


H2PO4- <=> HPO42-, CO2 <=> H2CO3,

H2CO3 <=> HCO3-,



many organic acids, organic bases and proteins. In living plants, the normal range of pH in tissues is about 4.0-6.2. It is not as narrowly defined as in mammalian tissues.


Universally applicable buffers for biochemistry must display:


  • water solubility
  • no interference with biological processes
  • known complex-forming tendency with metal ions
  • non-toxicity
  • no interference with biological membranes (penetration, solubilisation, adsorption on surface etc.)


very low U.V. absorption at wavelength >260 nm


"BioChemika Ultra" Zwitterlonic (Good's) Buffers

The use of buffers based on inorganic or organic salts is limited because of the interference of buffer cations and anions with the biological reaction under study. The development and introduction of the Zwitterionic Biological Buffers by Good [2] did much to change this situation. This type of buffer displays the desired characteristics: Low interference with biological processes is due to the fact that anionic and cationic sites are present as non-interacting carboxylate or sulfonate and cationic ammonium groups. The pK and the buffer range of the zwitterionic substances lie within the physiological limits (pKa 6.15-9.55). Moreover the zwitterionic nature of these buffers makes them very water soluble, normally above the one-molar range. Physical constants of the buffer substance (pKa, D pKa/°C, solubility, pH- and UV-range) are included under the product entry in the alphabetical list.

"BioChemika Ultra" Buffer Salts and other Buffer Components

The traditional buffer components - organic and inorganic salts, acids and bases - are included in the sales programme section. Buffers based on these components are widely used in biochemical and biological research. The statements regarding the effect of anions and cations on biological systems also apply here. The paragraph Literature Specifications in the alphabetical list gives physical constants (pKa, solubility etc.)



Primary Standards


N.B.S.* Standard Buffer Substances [4]
Primary Standards

Composition and properties of the five primary standard buffers at 25°C (see notes on preparation, below).


Buffer solution


Tartrate Phthalate Phosphate D Phosphate E Borate

Buffer substance KHC4H4O6 KHC8H4O4 KH2PO4 +
Na2HPO4
KH2PO4 +
Na2HPO4
Na2B4O7
10 H2O
g/l soln. at 25 °C Saturated
at 25°C
10.12 3.39 [b]
3.53 [c]
1.179 [b]
4.30 [c]
3.80
Molality (m) 0.0341 0.05 0.025 [a] 0.008695 [b]
0.03043 [c]
0.01
Molarity (M) 0.034 0.04958 0.02490 [a] 0.008665 [b]
0.03032 [c]
0.009971
Density (g/ml) 1.0036 1.0017 1.0028 1.0020 0.9996
pH at 25°C 3.557 4.008 6.865 7.413 9.180
Dilution value, D pH½ +0.049 +0.052 +0.080 +0.07 [d] +0.01
Buffer value, b ,
equiv./pH
0.027 0.016 0.029 0.016 0.020
Temp. coeff., dpH(S)/dt, units/°C -0.0014 +0.0012 -0.0028 -0.0028 -0.0082

[a] Concentration of each phosphate salt. [b] KH2PO4. [c]
Na2HPO4. [d] Calculated value.




Recommended standard values of pH(S) for primary standard buffers (+/- 0.005 at 0 - 60°C and +/-0.008 from 60-90°C).


Buffer pH

Temp. (°C) Tartrate Phthalate Phosphate D Phosphate E Borate

0 4.003 6.984 7.534 9.464
5 3.999 6.951 7.500 9.395
10 3.998 6.923 7.472 9.332
15 3.999 6.900 7.448 9.276
20 4.002 6.881 7.429 9.225
25 3.557 4.008 6.865 7.413 9.180
30 3.552 4.015 6.853 7.400 9.139
35 3.549 4.024 6.844 7.389 9.102
38 3.548 4.030 6.840 7.384 9.081
40 3.547 4.035 6.838 7.380 9.068
45 3.547 4.047 6.834 7.373 9.038
50 3.549 4.060 6.833 7.367 9.011
55 3.554 40.75 6.834 8.985
60 3.560 4.091 6.836 8.962
70 3.580 4.126 6.845 8.921
80 3.609 4.164 6.859 8.885
90 3.650 4.205 6.877 8.8850
95 3.674 4.227 6.886 8.833

*N.B.S. National Bureau of Standards



Secondary Standards


Composition and properties of the two secondary standard buffers at 25°C.


Buffer solution




Tetraoxalate Calcium hydroxide
Buffer substance KH3(C2O4)2. 2H2O Ca(OH)2
g/l of soln. at 25°C 12.61 Saturated at 25°C
Molality (m) 0.05 0.0203
Molarity (M) 0.04962 0.02025
Density (g/ml) 1.0032 0.9991
pH at 25°C 1.0032 12.454
Dilution value,D pH1/2 1.679 - 0.28
Buffer value,b, equiv./pH + 0.186 0 09
Temp. coeff.,
dpH (S)/dt, units/°C
0.070 - 0.033

Recommended standard values of pH(S) for the secondary buffer standards


Buffer pH


Temp (°C) Tetraoxalate Calcium hydroxide
0 1.666 13.423
5 1.668 13.207
10 1.670 13.003
15 1.672 12.810
20 1.675 12.627
25 1.679 12.454
30 1.683 12.289
35 1.688 12.133
38 1.691 12.043
40 1.694 11.984
45 1.700 11.841
50 1.707 11.705
55 1.715 11.574
60 1.723 11.449
70 1.743
80 1.766
90 1.792
95 1.806

Note. See below for remarks on drying potassium tetraoxalate dihydrate.


Fluka Number Fluka Primary N.B.S.* Standard Buffer Substances
60219 Potassium dihydrogen phospate
60359 Potassium hydrogen phthalate
60366 Potassium hydrogen D-tartrate
71639 di-Sodium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous
71999 Sodium tetraborate Decahydrate

Fluka Secondary N.B.S.* Standard Buffer Substances
21187 Calcium hydroxide
60589 Potassium tetraoxalate Dihydrate



Notes


Notes on the preparation

The primary and secondary standard buffer solutions are prepared from the standard buffer substances as indicated in the table. The standard pH [pH(S)] of the buffer solution in the temperature range 0-95°C are indicated and can be used for calibration purposes. Buffer compositions are on the molal scale. Only freshly prepared solutions should be used, as the initial buffer composition may change very rapidly. Tartrate, phthalate, and phosphates may be dried at 110°C for 1-2 hours prior to use. Potassium tetraoxalate should not be dried above 60°C, and borax should not be dried at all.

Molality (m) dimension: mole per kilogram of solvent
Molarity (M) dimension: mole per litre of solution
Dilution value (DpH1/2) change of pH value observed by dilution of a buffer solution with an equal volume of pure water. It is positive when pH increases and negative when pH decreases with increasing dilution
Buffer value b (equiv./pH) (also Buffer capacity, Van Slyke Buffer value) b = d[B]/dpH, where d[B] is the increment (in equivalents) of a strong base required to produce a certain pH change of the buffer solution. Strong acids effect negative (-d[B]) increment and thus lower the pH
Temperature coefficient (pH unit/°C) dpH(S)/dT standard change of pH value per degree centigrade. It can be positive or negative


General Aspects regarding Buffer Applications

With few exceptions, studies of biochemical systems require the use of a buffer in order to control the pH value. Therefore the action of the buffer is of prime importance. Factors influencing the action of buffer solutions and pH are [5, 6]:


  • activity effects: concentration and electrical charge of the species involved
  • salt effects: added "indifferent" electrolytes
  • dilution effect: pH-variation on dilution of buffer solutions buffer capacity: added base or acid
  • temperature dependence


The choice of the correct buffer for a particular biochemical system or technique depends on a number of additional factors. For example: undesired interaction of the buffer with the biopolymer, redox stability, metal ion complexing properties and purity. One way to solve the difficult problem of selecting the right buffer is to evaluate as many buffers as possible. Reviews on the use of buffers in various areas are available [7-9]. However they do not provide detailed information and a comprehensive treatise on the subject should be consulted.


Practical Aspects of Buffer Application


  • Activity and salt effects have a marked influence on the pH value of a solution according to the equation

pH = pKa' + log[B]/[BH] (1)

 

where


pKa' = pKa + correction factor

 

The factors for different ionic strengths are tabulated in [5] and range from 0.015 for ionic strength I = 0.001 to 0.159 for I = 0.5.


  • lonic strength is defined as in   


where ci is the concentration of species i, and z is the corresponding charge. I can be calculated very easily from the experimental parameters.

Buffer capacity. The maximum buffer capacity bmax of a monovalent species is found to be at pH = pKa', the practical pK-value. bmax in the pH range 3-11 is calculated according to equation (3)


bmax = 0.576 c (3)


where c is the total concentration of the buffer substance. Thus the useful buffer capacity lies within a pH range of pKa± 1 unit. If more than 50% of the maximum buffer capacity must be realized the corresponding range is only pKa' + 0.75 units.

The Practical Buffer Range

b, the buffer capacity, is defined as given in (4)


b =d [B] (4)
      dpH


where [B] is the amount of base added to the buffer component BH. The buffer capacity of a mixed weak acid-base buffer system is greater, the closer the individual pKa values lie. b values of a mixture of buffers are additive.

From equation (5) it is possible to calculate the molar ratio [basic species]/[acidic species] which leads to a desired pH within the practical buffer range, pKa± 1 unit.



pH = pK + log[basic species] (5)
                     [acid species]



From the diagram on page ...
[B]/[BH] - pH - % buffer capacity can quickly be estimated.


Temperature effects on the pH of a given solution may be considerable. TRIS has a pKa of 8.55 at 0°, 8.06 at 25° and 7.22 at 37° (mean dpH/dT-0.03 pH units/°C). Salt buffers, such as the Primary Standards show dpH/dT of about 0.002 pH-units/°C. The change can be either positive or negative.


Dilution effects depend mainly on the charge of the buffer species; dilution of a 0.1 M HA/A- buffer system (total concentration) with an equal volume of water results in a pH-value change of 0.024 units, whereby the pH is lowered in the case of basic buffers and increased when acidic ones are diluted. The pH variation of HA-/A2- buffer systems are increasod by a factor of approximately three.


Use of diagram: Determine from experimental parameters the molar concentration ratio of basic and acidic speries in the buffer system.

(1 to 10)
10     1


Read the pH of the Solution from the upper diagram of pH deviation and from the lower diagram the % of maximum buffer capacity (% bmax).



pKa Value and Buffer Range of important Biological Buffers


sorted by buffer range

sorted alphabetically



pKa Value and Buffer Range of important Biological Buffers sorted by buffer range

effective pH range

pKa 25°C

buffer

1.2-2.6

1.97

maleate (pK1)

1.7-2.9

2.15

phosphate (pK1)

10.0-11.4

10.70

CABS

10.5-12.0

11.12

piperidine

2.2-3.6

2.35

glycine (pK1)

2.2-6.5

3.13

citrate (pK1)

2.5-3.8

3.14

glycylglycine (pK1)

2.7-4.2

3.40

malate (pK1)

3.0-4.5

3.75

formate

3.0-6.2

4.76

citrate (pK2)

3.2-5.2

4.21

succinate (pK1)

3.6-5.6

4.76

acetate

3.8-5.6

4.87

propionate

4.0-6.0

5.13

malate (pK2)

4.9-5.9

5.23

pyridine

5.0-6.0

5.33

piperazine (pK1)

5.0-7.4

6.27

cacodylate

5.5-6.5

5.64

succinate (pK2)

5.5-6.7

6.10

MES

5.5-7.2

6.40

citrate (pK3)

5.5-7.2

6.24

maleate (pK2)

5.5-7.4

1.70, 6.04, 9.09

histidine

5.8-7.2

6.46

bis-tris

5.8-8.0

7.20

phosphate (pK2)

6.0-12.0

9.50

ethanolamine

6.0-7.2

6.59

ADA

6.0-8.0

6.35

carbonate (pK1)

6.1-7.5

6.78

ACES

6.1-7.5

6.76

PIPES

6.2-7.6

6.87

MOPSO

6.2-7.8

6.95

imidazole

6.3-9.5

6.80, 9.00

BIS-TRIS propane

6.4-7.8

7.09

BES

6.5-7.9

7.14

MOPS

6.8-8.2

7.48

HEPES

6.8-8.2

7.40

TES

6.9-8.3

7.60

MOBS

7.0-8.2

7.52

DIPSO

7.0-8.2

7.61

TAPSO

7.0-8.3

7.76

triethanolamine (TEA)

7.0-9.0

0.91, 2.10, 6.70, 9.32

pyrophosphate

7.1-8.5

7.85

HEPPSO

7.2-8.5

7.78

POPSO

7.4-8.8

8.05

tricine

7.5-10.0

8.10

hydrazine

7.5-8.9

8.25

glycylglycine (pK2)

7.5-9.0

8.06

Trizma (tris)

7.6-8.6

8.00

EPPS, HEPPS

7.6-9.0

8.26

BICINE

7.6-9.0

8.30

HEPBS

7.7-9.1

8.40

TAPS

7.8-9.7

8.80

2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD)

8.2-9.6

8.90

TABS

8.3-9.7

9.00

AMPSO

8.4-9.6

9.06

taurine (AES)

8.5-10.2

9.23, 12.74, 13.80

borate

8.6-10.0

9.50

CHES

8.7-10.4

9.69

2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP)

8.8-10.6

9.78

glycine (pK2)

8.8-9.9

9.25

ammonium hydroxide

8.9-10.3

9.60

CAPSO

9.5-11.1

10.33

carbonate (pK2)

9.5-11.5

10.66

methylamine

9.5-9.8

9.73

piperazine (pK2)

9.7-11.1

10.40

CAPS

 

12.33

phosphate (pK3)

 




pKa Value and Buffer Range of important Biological Buffers sorted alphabetically

buffer

pKa 25°C

effective pH range

ACES

6.78

6.1-7.5

acetate

4.76

3.6-5.6

ADA

6.59

6.0-7.2

ammonium hydroxide

9.25

8.8-9.9

AMP (2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol)

9.69

8.7-10.4

AMPD (2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol)

8.80

7.8-9.7

AMPSO

9.00

8.3-9.7

BES

7.09

6.4-7.8

BICINE

8.26

7.6-9.0

bis-tris

6.46

5.8-7.2

BIS-TRIS propane

6.80, 9.00

6.3-9.5

borate

9.23, 12.74, 13.80

8.5-10.2

CABS

10.70

10.0-11.4

cacodylate

6.27

5.0-7.4

CAPS

10.40

9.7-11.1

CAPSO

9.60

8.9-10.3

carbonate (pK1)

6.35

6.0-8.0

carbonate (pK2)

10.33

9.5-11.1

CHES

9.50

8.6-10.0

citrate (pK1)

3.13

2.2-6.5

citrate (pK2)

4.76

3.0-6.2

citrate (pK3)

6.40

5.5-7.2

DIPSO

7.52

7.0-8.2

EPPS, HEPPS

8.00

7.6-8.6

ethanolamine

9.50

6.0-12.0

formate

3.75

3.0-4.5

glycine (pK1)

2.35

2.2-3.6

glycine (pK2)

9.78

8.8-10.6

glycylglycine (pK1)

3.14

2.5-3.8

glycylglycine (pK2)

8.25

7.5-8.9

HEPBS

8.30

7.6-9.0

HEPES

7.48

6.8-8.2

HEPPSO

7.85

7.1-8.5

histidine

1.70, 6.04, 9.09

5.5-7.4

hydrazine

8.10

7.5-10.0

imidazole

6.95

6.2-7.8

malate (pK1)

3.40

2.7-4.2

malate (pK2)

5.13

4.0-6.0

maleate (pK1)

1.97

1.2-2.6

maleate (pK2)

6.24

5.5-7.2

MES

6.10

5.5-6.7

methylamine

10.66

9.5-11.5

MOBS

7.60

6.9-8.3

MOPS

7.14

6.5-7.9

MOPSO

6.87

6.2-7.6

phosphate (pK1)

2.15

1.7-2.9

phosphate (pK2)

7.20

5.8-8.0

phosphate (pK3)

12.33

piperazine (pK1)

5.33

5.0-6.0

piperazine (pK2)

9.73

9.5-9.8

piperidine

11.12

10.5-12.0

PIPES

6.76

6.1-7.5

POPSO

7.78

7.2-8.5

propionate

4.87

3.8-5.6

pyridine

5.23

4.9-5.9

pyrophosphate

0.91, 2.10, 6.70, 9.32

7.0-9.0

succinate (pK1)

4.21

3.2-5.2

succinate (pK2)

5.64

5.5-6.5

TABS

8.90

8.2-9.6

TAPS

8.40

7.7-9.1

TAPSO

7.61

7.0-8.2

taurine (AES)

9.06

8.4-9.6

TES

7.40

6.8-8.2

tricine

8.05

7.4-8.8

triethanolamine (TEA)

7.76

7.0-8.3

Trizma (tris)

8.06

7.5-9.0

 




List of Common Buffers


A-B   C-D   E-H   I-O   P-R   S   T-Z


Catalog No. Name see
A-B
00194 ACES
00194 N-(2-Acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid
N-(2-Acetamido)iminodiacetic acid ADA
Acetic acid magnesium salt Magnesium acetate
Acetic acid sodium salt Sodium acetate
45725 Acetic acid for luminescence
45726 Acetic acid
00307 ADA
Aminoacetic acid Glycine
Aminoethanoic acid Glycine
2-Amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol Trizma® base
beta-Aminoisobutyl alcohol, AMP 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol
08578 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol
08569 2-Amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
Ammediol 2-Amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate Ammonium phosphate monobasic
Ammonium sodium hydrogen phosphate Ammonium sodium phosphate dibasic tetrahydrate
09681 Ammonium acetate for luminescence
09830 Ammonium bicarbonate
09833 Ammonium citrate dibasic
09735 Ammonium formate
Ammonium hydrogen carbonate Ammonium bicarbonate
09898 Ammonium oxalate monohydrate
09839 Ammonium phosphate dibasic
09709 Ammonium phosphate monobasic
Mono-ammonium phosphate Ammonium phosphate monobasic
prim-Ammonium phosphate Ammonium phosphate monobasic
71284 Ammonium sodium phosphate dibasic tetrahydrate
09985 Ammonium tartrate dibasic
AMP 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol
AMPD 2-Amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
Barbitone Sodium 5,5-diethylbarbiturate
14853 BES for molecular biology
14854 BES
14280 BES buffered saline for molecular biology
14871 BICINE
Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, 2,2'-Iminodiethanol Diethanolamine
N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid BES
2-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol BIS-TRIS
Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-tris(hydroxymethyl)methane BIS-TRIS
N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine BICINE
N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)taurine BES
2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2',2''-nitrilotriethanol BIS-TRIS
BIS-TRIS
Borax decahydrate Sodium tetraborate
15662 Boric acid for luminescence
15663 Boric acid for molecular biology
15665 Boric acid
Buffer solution 1 M pH 7.0 (volatile) Triethylammonium acetate buffer
Catalog No. Name see
  C-D
21056 Calcium acetate hydrate
21061 Calcium carbonate
21118 Calcium citrate tribasic tetrahydrate
21134 Calcium formate
29337 CAPS
N-(Carbamoylmethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid ACES
2-(Carbamoylmethylamino)ethanesulfonic acid ACES
N-(Carbamoylmethyl)iminodiacetic acid ADA
N-(Carbamoylmethyl)taurine ACES
CHES
Citric acid Ammonium citrate dibasic
Citric acid calcium salt Calcium citrate tribasic tetrahydrate
Citric acid magnesium salt Magnesium citrate tribasic
Citric acid monopotassium salt Potassium citrate
Citric acid monosodium salt Sodium citrate monobasic
Citric acid trilithium salt Lithium citrate tribasic
Citric acid trisodium salt 'Sodium citrate tribasic
27485 Citric acid for luminescence
27487 Citric acid
2-(Cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid CHES
3-(Cyclohexylamino)-1-propanesulfonic acid CAPS
Diammonium hydrogen citrate Ammonium citrate dibasic
Diammonium tartrate Ammonium tartrate dibasic
Diammonium hydrogen phosphate Ammonium phosphate dibasic
di-Ammonium hydrogen phosphate (sec) Ammonium phosphate dibasic
1,4-Diazacyclohexane Piperazine
1,3-Diaza-2,4-cyclopentadiene Imidazole
Diethanolamine
5,5-Diethylbarbituric acid sodium salt Sodium 5,5-diethylbarbiturate
Diethylenediamine Piperazine
Diglycine Gly-Gly
D-2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid monopotassium salt Potassium D-tartrate monobasic
Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate Potassium phosphate dibasic
Dipotassium phosphate Potassium phosphate dibasic
Disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate Sodium pyrophosphate dibasic
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate dihydrate Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate
Disodium hydrogen phosphate Sodium phosphate dibasic
Disodium phosphate Sodium phosphate dibasic
Disodium pyrophosphate Sodium pyrophosphate dibasic
Disodium tartrate dihydrate Sodium tartrate dibasic
Di(tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane) carbonate Trizma® carbonate
Catalog No. Name see
E-H  
Edetate disodium salt dihydrate Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate
EPPS
Ethanedioic acid Oxalic acid dihydrate
Ethanedioic acid Potassium oxalate
Ethanedioic acid sodium salt Sodium oxalate
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate for molecular biology
Formic acid ammonium salt Ammonium formate
Formic acid calcium salt Calcium formate
Formic acid potassium salt Potassium formate
50046 Glycine for molecular biology
50049 Glycine
50056 Glycine for luminescence
Glycocoll Glycine
Glycyl-glycine Gly-Gly
Glycyl-glycyl-glycine Gly-Gly-Gly
50199 Gly-Gly