Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is an isotonic buffer solution widely utilized in biological and biochemical research. It maintains pH stability in cell culture, biochemical assays, and molecular biology applications. PBS mimics the ion concentration of the human body, ensuring a stable physiological environment. Alfa Chemistry offers the 10X PBS recipe calculator to simplify buffer preparation and ensure accuracy and reproducibility in biological studies.
The 10X PBS stock solution is a concentrated form, typically diluted to 1X working concentration before use. Calculations can be made using our 1X PBS recipe calculator.
Desired Volume
Composition of 10X PBS Solution
A 10X PBS solution is formulated to ensure consistency and reproducibility across experiments. The standard composition includes:
| Component | Concentration (mM) |
| NaCl (ACM7647145) | 1370 |
| KCl (ACM7447407) | 27 |
| Na2HPO4 (ACM7558794) | 100 |
| KH2PO4 (ACM7778770-3) | 18 |
Role of Each Component
- Sodium chloride (NaCl): Maintains osmotic balance and physiological ion concentration.
- Potassium chloride (KCl): Supports cell function and maintains electrolyte balance.
- Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4) & Monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4): Act as buffering agents, maintaining pH stability (~7.4 at 1X concentration).
Preparation Method for 1L of 1X PBS
To prepare 1 liter of 10X PBS, combine the following components in distilled water:
- NaCl – 80 g
- KCl – 2 g
- Na2HPO4 – 17.8 g
- KH2PO4 – 2.4 g
Adjust the final volume to 1 liter with distilled water.
Stir until fully dissolved and adjust the pH to 7.4 (if necessary) using HCl or NaOH.
Autoclave or filter-sterilize for long-term storage at 4°C.
Applications of PBS in Research
PBS is indispensable in biological and biochemical research, including:
- Cell Culture: Used for washing cells, diluting solutions, and as a medium component.
- Molecular Biology: Employed in DNA/RNA extractions, immunoassays, and electrophoresis.
- Histology & Microscopy: Used as a rinsing buffer for tissue sample preparation.
- Protein Biochemistry: Applied in Western blotting, ELISA, and protein purification.
