12 uses of HEPES Buffer you didn't know

Hepes is a zwitterionic biological buffer, commonly used in biological and biochemical research. It is one of the earliest Good buffers described by Norman E. Good in 1966. Although it is a very popular buffer in laboratories around the world, what is Hepes actually suitable for? The following can better understand the characteristics of Hepes and its applicability to different biotechnology applications (cell culture, chromatography, etc.). To

Basic Information:

CAS Number: 7365-45-9

Molecular weight: 238.3

Molecular formula: C 8 H 18 N 2 O 4 S

Useful pH range: 6.8-8.2

pKa (25°C): 7.45-7.65

Maximum wavelength (λmax)λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.06; λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.04

What can Hepes do?

ØResearch on most metal ions

ØIt can be a good substitute for Tris and phosphate in metal ion research

ØUsed for environmental, analytical and biological research

ØAs the binding buffer and eluent in cation exchange chromatography

ØAs a grinding buffer in plant research

ØAs a running buffer in electrophoresis

ØAs a buffer for electroporation

ØBuffer mammalian cell culture

ØAs a buffer for in vitro fertilization and embryo culture

ØFor Bradford or bicinchoninic acid (BCA) analysis

ØFor research on cartilaginous amphibians, because it is non-toxic to this algae

ØIt has been introduced into the extraction buffer to prevent damage to the proteins in red blood cells 

What should you consider before choosing Hepes for research?

uIt affects the membrane potential of neuronal cells

uIt will interfere with the determination of Lowry nucleic acid protein

uIt is not suitable for redox research

uIt is toxic to small crustaceans (water fleas), such as Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex

uIt will interfere with the phenol oxidation of peroxidase

uIt will affect the self-oxidation rate of iron

uIt is not recommended to use Folin reagent for protein determination

Useful tips about Hepes:

²Easily soluble in water

²It has negligible metal ion bond

²It can inactivate the popular RNase inhibitor DEPC

In the specific use of hepes, cosmetics are used as pH adjustment, which is conducive to the formation and stability of gold nanostars. It is also present in the prevailing virus preservation solutions today, which can be used for a wide range of purposes.