Good's Buffers

"Good's" Buffers refer to the group of buffers described in the research of Dr. Norman Good et al. in 1966. These buffers were selected because they display characteristics making them integral to research in biology and biochemistry. The characteristics associated with a Good's buffer include the following: pKa value between 6.0 and 8.0, high solubility, non toxic, limited effect on biochemical reactions, very low absorbence between 240 nm and 700 nm, enzymatic and hydrolytic stability, minimal changes due to temperature and concentration, limited effects due to ionic or salt composition of the solution, limited interaction with mineral cations, and limited permeability of biological membranes. (Reference: Good, N.E., et al. (1966) Hydrogen Ion Buffers for Biological Research. Biochemistry 5(2), 467-477.)

For additional technical details, visit the Buffer Reference Center.

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Useful pH Range

“Good” buffers

ACES ≥99.0% (titration)

6.1 - 7.5

6.8

ACES Biotechnology Performance Certified, ≥99.0% (titration)

6.1 - 7.5

6.8

ACES SigmaUltra, ≥99.0% (titration)

6.1 - 7.5

6.8

ADA disodium salt

6.0 - 7.2

6.6

ADA sodium salt ≥95% (titration)

6.0 - 7.2

6.6

ADA ≥98% (titration)

6.0 - 7.2

6.6

ADA SigmaUltra, ≥98% (titration)

6.0 - 7.2

6.6

BES sodium salt

6.4 - 7.8

7.1

BES ≥99.0% (titration)

6.4 - 7.8

7.1

BES Biotechnology Performance Certified, cell culture tested, ≥99.0% (titration)

6.4 - 7.8

7.1

BES SigmaUltra, ≥99.0% (titration)

6.4 - 7.8

7.1

BICINE ≥99% (titration)

7.6 - 9.0

8.3

BICINE SigmaUltra, ≥99% (titration)

7.6 - 9.0

8.3

BIS-TRIS hydrochloride ≥98% (titration)

5.8 - 7.2

6.5

BIS-TRIS propane ≥99.0% (titration)

6.3 - 9.5

6.8

BIS-TRIS propane Biotechnology Performance Certified, cell culture tested, ≥99.0% (titration)

6.3 - 9.5

6.8

BIS-TRIS propane SigmaUltra, ≥99.0% (titration)

6.3 - 9.5

6.8

BIS-TRIS ≥98.0% (titration)

5.8 - 7.2

6.5

BIS-TRIS Biotechnology Performance Certified, cell culture tested, insect cell culture tested, ≥98% (titration)

5.8 - 7.2
5.8 - 7.2

6.5

BIS-TRIS SigmaUltra, ≥98.0% (titration)

5.8 - 7.2

6.5

CAPS ≥98.0%

9.7 - 11.1

10.4

CAPSO sodium salt

8.9 - 10.3

9.6

CAPSO ≥99% anhydrous basis (titration)

8.9 - 10.3

9.6

CAPSO SigmaUltra, pH 2.0-4.0 (20 °C, 0.5 M in H₂O), ≥99.0% anhydrous basis (TSOD, titration)

8.9 - 10.3

9.6

CAPS SigmaUltra, pH 3.0-7.0 (20 °C, 0.5 M in H₂O), ≥98.0% NaOH basis (titration)

9.7 - 11.1
9.7 - 11.1

10.4

CHES ≥99% (titration)

8.6 - 10.0

9.3

CHES SigmaUltra, ≥99% (titration)

8.6 - 10.0

9.3

DIPSO SigmaUltra, pH 4.0-5.5 (20 °C, 0.1 M in H₂O), ≥98% (titration)

7.0 - 8.2

7.6

EPPS ≥99.5% (titration)

7.3 - 8.7

8

EPPS Biotechnology Performance Certified, cell culture tested, ≥99.5% (titration)

7.3 - 8.7

8

EPPS SigmaUltra, ≥99.5% (titration)

7.3 - 8.7

8

Gly-Gly ≥99% (titration)

7.5 - 8.9

8.2

Gly-Gly Biotechnology Performance Certified, cell culture tested, plant cell culture tested, ≥99% (titration)

7.5 - 8.9

8.2

Gly-Gly SigmaUltra, pH 4.5-6.0 (20 °C, 1 M in H₂O), >99.5% (titration)

7.5 - 8.9

8.2

HEPBS ≥99% (titration)

7.6 - 9.0

8.3

HEPES buffer solution BioChemika, 1 M in H₂O

HEPES hemisodium salt ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES hemisodium salt dry powder

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES potassium salt ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES sodium salt hydrate ≥99% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES sodium salt solution 1M, Cell Culture tested, Biotechnology Performance Certified

HEPES sodium salt ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES sodium salt Biotechnology Performance Certified, cell culture tested, ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES sodium salt SigmaUltra, ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES solution 1 M, Cell Culture tested, Biotechnology Performance Certified

6.8 - 8.2

HEPES ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES Biotechnology Performance Certified, ≥99.5% (titration), cell culture tested

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPES SigmaUltra, pH 5.0-6.5 (20 °C, 1 M in H₂O), ≥99.5% (titration)

6.8 - 8.2

7.5

HEPPSO Hydrate ≥99% (titration)

7.1-8.5

7.5

MES hemisodium salt ≥98% (titration)

5.5 - 6.7

6.1

MES hemisodium salt dry powder

5.5 - 6.7

6.1