Description: A zwitterionic buffer. One of the "Good" buffers developed for biological applications. It has the advantages of:
midrange pKa
maximum water solubility and minimum solubility in all other solvents
minimal salt effects
minimal change in pK with temperature
chemically and enzymatically stable
minimal absorption in visible or UV spectral range
Typical Buffer Preparation: A buffer using MES free acid can be prepared by titrating the free acid with sodium hydroxide to the desired pH (pKa ± 1). Alternatively, volumes of equimolar MES free acid and sodium or potassium MES can be mixed to attain the desired pH. Standard mixing tables for stock solutions can be found in Data for Biochemical Research.