Description
General description
HEPES, or 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethane-sulfonic acid, is a zwitterionic N-substituted aminosulfonic acid buffer. It demonstrates outstanding buffering capacity in the pH range of 6.8 to 8.2, boasting a pKa of 7.48 at 25°C. Widely acknowledged as one of the most versatile buffers, HEPES is extensively utilized in cell biology, biochemical, and biological research. A notable attribute is its non-reactivity with metal ions. Unlike many buffers, HEPES does not form significant complexes with most metals, making it suitable for applications involving metal ions without affecting their activity. This characteristic enhances its utility as a "non-coordinating buffer." In cell culture, HEPES excels in maintaining a stable physiological pH, even amidst fluctuations in carbon dioxide concentration resulting from cellular respiration. This sets it apart from bicarbonate buffers (NaHCO3), which, though commonly used, are less effective in pH stability.
HEPES also proves advantageous in various biological and biochemical processes. Its ampholytic nature makes it suitable as a separator for creating pH gradients in isoelectric focusing, a technique often employed in protein separation and analysis. Moreover, HEPES exhibits minimal interference with DNA-restriction enzyme reactions compared to buffers with fewer substituted amine groups, such as Tris. This makes it a preferred choice for applications involving DNA manipulation and analysis. Beyond these specific applications, HEPES is valuable in numerous other biological and biochemical processes, including immunoprecipitation, cell lysis, and live cell imaging. Its versatility, coupled with exceptional pH buffering capacity and minimal interaction with other molecules, establishes HEPES as an indispensable tool across diverse research domains.
HEPES buffer does not confer cytotoxic effects on cells and thus can be used in animal cell cultures.
HEPES has been described as one of the best all-purpose buffers available for biological research. At biological pH, the molecule is zwitterionic, and is effective as a buffer at pH 6.8 to 8.2. HEPES has been used in a wide variety of applications, including tissue culture. It is commonly used to buffer cell culture media in air. HEPES finds its usage in in vitro experiments on Mg.
Application
HEPES has been used:
To supplement Dulbecco′s modified Eagle′s medium to culture and maintain cell lines
As a component of platelet suspension buffer
To supplement Hank′s basic salt solution, which is used to wash pancreatic tissue
As a component of wash buffer and blocking buffer in the purification and quantification of protein with enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay
For the adjustment and maintenance of pH of biological solutions
As a component of Hank′s balanced salt solution (HBSS) and dissociation medium to study neuronal development
For homogenization of tissue and in the preparation of cytosolic and nuclear extract from cells
As a component of keratinocyte and fibroblast culture medium
Features and Benefits
Tested to confirm low levels of heavy metal contamination, ensuring suitability for various applications
Highly soluble in water with a useful pH range of 6.8 - 8.2 and pKa of 7.5 at 25 °C
Negligible metal ion binding
Less toxic to cells than other buffers such as Tris and phosphate
Stable in a wide pH range
Tested for Endotoxins and Total Aerobic Microbial Count
Free from DNase, NICKase, RNase, Endonuclease, Exonuclease and Protease
Packaging
The DRYPOUR® packaging system for high-quality hygroscopic salts DRYPOUR® packaging: The current DRYPOUR® packaging configuration is in a 50L nestable drum
25KG-DP are the standard prepack offering
Smaller volumes can be put in the same drum for variable configurations
The benefits of DRYPOUR®: Improves operational efficiency by reducing material preparation time and increasing operator safety
Minimizes caking of hygroscopic salts
Offers triple protection: against moisture inside and outside, and against contamination
How does the DRYPOUR® packaging system Improve your operational efficiency? This state-of-the-art design packaging system minimizes caking, thus significantly reducing the time needed for material preparation
PE drum with our new tamper-evident seal, a polyethylene liner with integrated desiccant bags and a breathable interior Tyvek®liner
Desiccant bags are firmly integrated into the polyethylene liner
Triple protection delivers two invaluable results:
Dramatically reduced caking
No contamination risk from the desiccant
Other Notes
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Legal Information
DRYPOUR is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Tyvek is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
