H4034

HEPES

BioPerformance Certified, ≥99.5% (titration), suitable for cell culture

• Synonym(s): 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid, N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid)
• Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C₈H₁₈N₂O₄S
• CAS Number: 7365-45-9
• Molecular Weight: 238.30
• Beilstein: 883043
• EC Number: 230-907-9
• MDL number: MFCD00006158
• UNSPSC Code: 12161700
• PubChem Substance ID: 24895616
• NACRES: NA.25

Properties

• grade: BioPerformance Certified
• Quality Level: 400
• Assay: ≥99.5% (titration)
• form: crystalline powder
• storage condition: dry at room temperature
• technique(s): cell culture | mammalian: suitable; competitive inhibition ELISA: suitable
• impurities: endotoxin and total aerobic microbial count, tested
• color: white
• useful pH range: 6.8-8.2
• pKa (25 °C): 7.5

Description

General description

HEPES buffer does not confer cytotoxic effects on cells and thus can be used in animal cell cultures.[1]

HEPES has been described as one of the best all-purpose buffers available for biological research.[2] 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.[3]

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.

Application

HEPES has been used:

• To supplement Dulbecco′s modified Eagle′s medium to culture and maintain cell lines[4][5]
• As a component of platelet suspension buffer[6]
• To supplement Hank′s basic salt solution, which is used to wash pancreatic tissue[7]
• As a component of wash buffer and blocking buffer in the purification and quantification of protein with enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay[8]
• For the adjustment and maintenance of pH of biological solutions[8]
• As a component of Hank′s balanced salt solution (HBSS) and dissociation medium to study neuronal development[9]
• For homogenization of tissue and in the preparation of cytosolic and nuclear extract from cells[10]
• As a component of keratinocyte and fibroblast culture medium[11]

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:

1. Dramatically reduced caking
2. No contamination risk from the desiccant

Other Notes

For additional information on our range of Biochemicals, please complete this form.

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

Safety Information

• Storage Class Code: 11 - Combustible Solids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Flash Point(F): Not applicable
• Flash Point(C): Not applicable
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves