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Are you looking for bespoke biological buffers? As an ISO 13485-accredited, quality assured supplier of biological buffers, we can manufacture biological reagents, Good’s buffers, and bioprocessing reagents to meet your requirements while managing the supply chain.

Buffers play an essential role in maintaining biological balance because they can resist small changes in pH. Chemical buffers exist naturally as part of biological systems; without them, organisms wouldn’t be able to maintain homeostasis and normal physiological functions. 

Buffers also play a vital role in industry as they can extend the shelf life of commercial products like cosmetics and detergents. In addition, chemical manufacturers like ReAgent supply biological buffers for use in a range of medical devices and test kits. 

Continue reading to learn more about chemical buffers and their role in biological systems.

What is a buffer in biology?

In biology, a buffer is a solution that maintains a stable pH even if an acid or base is added. Biological buffers are made up of either a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid. Scientist measuring the pH of a solution using a pH meter

As the conjugate pairs exist in appreciable amounts at equilibrium, they’re able to neutralise small amounts of OH- (base) ions and H+ (acid) ions. In doing so, they can prevent biological systems from becoming too acidic or alkaline. This is crucial because organisms can only thrive in a certain pH range. 

As we explain below, without biological buffers, the pH may change to such an extent that organisms can no longer maintain their normal physiological functions. When this happens, the organism will usually die.

While some biological buffers exist naturally, others are manufactured for medical purposes and biological research. Buffers are often used to culture and maintain biological samples or specimens, for example. At ReAgent, many of the biological buffers we manufacture are used in DNA sample preparation and cancer diagnostic devices.

You can learn more about what makes a good biological buffer here.

Why are buffers important in biological systems?

Biological systems, such as bacterial colonies and organ systems, are sensitive to extreme changes in the environment, including pH. As a result, they rely on a process known as homeostasis to maintain a normal range of internal functions. 

Buffers are an important component in maintaining homeostasis and regulating biochemical reactions in cells. Without them, most living organisms wouldn’t be able to survive.

Take human blood for instance. This contains a natural buffer solution of carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate anion (HCO3), which helps to keep the pH of human blood at a safe level of between 6.8 and 7.8. A blood pH that’s above 7.8 or below 6.8 can cause severe health problems and may even be fatal. Illustration of red blood cells inside an artery

Biological buffers, such as Good’s buffers, are also crucial in biological and medical research. They play a vital role in synthesising proteins in the laboratory, for example, as they help proteins to maintain their molecular stability. ReAgent biological buffers

What types of buffers are there?

There are many different types of organic and inorganic buffers. Some of these occur naturally in organisms, while others are synthesised for either research or industrial purposes. For example, acetic acid mixed with sodium acetate is a common type of buffer used in the food industry to prevent bacterial growth. 

A buffer can be acidic, basic, or neutral, depending on the pH range you need to maintain.

1. Acidic buffer

An acidic buffer is used to counteract the rise of alkalinity in a solution. It’s prepared by mixing a weak acid with its salt and combining it with a strong base. A combination of acetate acid and sodium acetate is one example of an acidic buffer.

2. Basic buffer

Designed to counteract the rise of acidity in a solution, a basic buffer is made by mixing a weak base with its salt and then combining it with a strong acid. An example of a basic buffer is the combination of glycine and glycine hydrochloride.

3. Simple buffer

There are two ways to prepare a simple buffer. The first is to mix an acid salt with a normal salt of a polybasic acid. An example of this is the combination of sodium hydrogen phosphate and trisodium phosphate. 

The second way to prepare a simple buffer is to use a weak acid and a weak base to produce a salt. An example of this is ammonium acetate, a salt product of the neutralisation reaction between acetic acid and ammonia. Below is the balanced formula for the chemical reaction:

CH3COOH + NH3 → CH3COONH4

Summary 

Biological buffers resist the tendency of a solution to deviate from its ideal pH when an acid or a base is added. This is important because it helps organisms to maintain homeostasis and function correctly. Some biological buffers occur naturally, such as the combination of carbonic acid and bicarbonate anion in human blood. Others, including those supplied by ReAgent, are manufactured for biological and medical purposes. Buffers can be classified based on what type of substance or substance combinations are used.

ReAgent is an ISO 13485-accredited supplier of high-quality biological buffers and reagents based in the UK. You can read more about our biological buffers service here or speak to a member of our friendly team today.

About the author

Homar Murillo

Science Writer

Homar has a Masters degree in Environmental Science & Biochemistry and five years’ experience as a chemistry teacher. His extensive experience has made him a top science and manufacturing writer for ReAgent since 2020. He is a father of three beautiful children and is currently obsessed with the youngest, baby Barbara.

Disclaimer

All content published on the ReAgent.co.uk blog is for information only. The blog, its authors, and affiliates cannot be held responsible for any accident, injury or damage caused in part or directly from using the information provided. Additionally, we do not recommend using any chemical without reading the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which can be obtained from the manufacturer. You should also follow any safety advice and precautions listed on the product label. If you have health and safety related questions, visit HSE.gov.uk.