Overview: Balanced Salt Solutions
Balanced salt solutions (BSS) are essential physiological buffers designed to supply cells with water and key inorganic ions while maintaining pH balance, osmotic pressure, and isotonic salt concentrations. These formulations mimic the composition of extracellular fluid, creating an optimal environment for cell viability, function, and interaction.
General Composition
- Buffering System: Balanced salt solutions utilize various standard and Good’s buffers to best suit compatibility and buffering needs.
- Essential inorganic ions: Provides osmotic balance and maintains membrane potential. These include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl-), and more depending on the intended use of the solution.
- Phenol Red (optional): Functions as a pH indicator for highly pH-sensitive processes/assays.
- Energy Source (Optional): To provide energy to cells, sugars such as glucose/dextrose are often included.
Earle’s Balanced Salt Solution (EBSS)
EBSS contains sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, sodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, and glucose. It is widely used for cell culture and tissue dissociation.
Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS)
HBSS includes similar components to EBSS, with varied concentrations. It is used in cell culture and tissue dissociation. HBSS with calcium and magnesium supports cell adhesion and helps reduce unwanted aggregation.
| CAT# | Product Name |
|---|---|
| BSS-245 | Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, HBSS (10X, with Metal Mix) |
| BSS-215 | Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, HBSS |
| BSS-210 | Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, HBSS (with Phenol Red) |
| BSS-240 | Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, HBSS (10X, with Phenol Red) |
| BPS-505 | Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, HBSS (with Calcium, Magnesium, Phenol Red) [BioProcess Grade] |
Krebs-Henseleit Buffer
This buffer is ideal for perfusion of isolated mammalian hearts and is the gold standard for Langendorff perfusion studies.
Krebs-Ringer Solution
Used in calcium imaging and in vitro studies, it supports prolonged survival of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).
| CAT# | Product Name |
|---|---|
| BSS-260 | Phosphate Buffered Saline-Tween, PBST (with 0.05% Tween-20, pH 7.4) |
Tyrode’s Balanced Salt Solution (TBSS)
TBSS is commonly used in physiological experiments, cell washing, tissue culture, and preservation. Modified formulations with glucose support metabolism, especially in cardiac tissues.
| CAT# | Product Name |
|---|---|
| BSS-370 | Tyrode's Solution (with HEPES & 0.25% BSA) |
| BSS-365 | Tyrode's Solution (with HEPES & 0.25% BSA, without Calcium) |
| BSS-375 | Tyrode's Solution (with HEPES, without Calcium) |
| BSS-355 | Tyrode's Solution (with HEPES, with Calcium) |
| BSS-340 | Tyrode's Solution |
| BSS-350 | Tyrode's Solution (with BAPTA) |
Balanced Salt Solutions at Boston BioProducts
Boston BioProducts offers several different formulations of Balanced Salt Solutions for research use and further manufacturing. Explore our wide selection of Catalog Balanced Salt Solutions, or Custom Manufacturing for limitless possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a formulation with or without Phenol Red?
Phenol Red acts as a visual pH indicator and is beneficial in real-time pH monitoring. However, it may interfere with certain downstream applications. We offer both options to suit your assay needs.
When is it important to include Calcium and Magnesium?
Calcium and magnesium play vital roles in cell signaling, adhesion, and function. However, in some workflows, especially enzymatic or dissociation steps, they may interfere. Boston BioProducts offers formulations both with and without these ions, as well as separate metal supplements for flexible use.