Skip to content 
Tris Base, a versatile zwitterionic buffer, holds a pivotal role in biological and biochemical research. Yet, understanding its applications and limitations is crucial for scientists aiming to harness its potential effectively.
In this guide, we delve into the depths of Tris Biobuffer, offering insights, recommendations, and cautionary notes derived from credible academic sources.
TRIS BASE Basic Information:
- CAS Number: 77-86-1
- Molecular Weight: 121.1 g/mol
- Formula: C4H11NO3
- Appearance: White Christal Powder
- Useful pH Range: 7.0 – 9.1
- pKa (25°C): 8.1
Recommended Uses of Tris Base:
- Gel Electrophoresis:Tris finds ubiquitous application in buffer solutions for gel electrophoresis, notably in TAE or TBE formulations.
- Protein Analysis:It plays a vital role in the preparation of Laemmli buffer, essential for denaturing and loading protein samples in SDS-PAGE.
- Chromatography:Tris facilitates anion exchange chromatography, as demonstrated by pioneering studies.
- Endotoxin Evaluation: Its utility extends to the evaluation of bacterial endotoxins, underscoring its versatility in analytical methodologies.
- Electrochromatography:Tris emerges as a preferred choice for capillary electrochromatography due to its low ionic mobility, as highlighted in scientific literature.
Considerations Before Choosing TRIS:
- pH Sensitivity:Tris exhibits inefficiency below pH 7.5, warranting careful pH control in experimental setups.
- Reactive Nature:Its primary amine functionality may act as an inhibitor, influencing experimental outcomes.
- Cell Culture Compatibility:Tris’s propensity to permeate membranes renders it unsuitable for most cell culture work and toxic to mammalian cells.
- Assay Interference:Caution is advised regarding its interaction with certain assays such as the Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay and the Bradford dye-binding method.
- Metal Chelation:Tris’s tendency to chelate essential metals underscores the need for careful consideration in metal-dependent experiments.
- Temperature Dependency:pH variations with temperature necessitate the preparation of Tris buffer at the desired experimental temperature.
- Interaction with Bicarbonate Buffers:Potential interactions with bicarbonate/CO2 buffer systems may influence experimental outcomes.
Useful Tips about TRIS BASE:
- Solubility:Tris exhibits high solubility in organic solvents, expanding its utility beyond aqueous environments.
- Enzyme Inhibition:Researchers should be mindful of Tris’s ability to react with and inhibit certain enzymes, potentially impacting enzymatic assays.
- DEPC Inactivation:Tris serves as an effective agent for inactivating DEPC, a common RNase inhibitor, in laboratory protocols.
In conclusion, Tris Bio buffer stands as a cornerstone in biochemical research, offering many applications while posing certain considerations and challenges. By heeding the insights gleaned from scientific inquiry, researchers can navigate the complexities of Tris buffer usage with confidence, unlocking its full potential in advancing scientific endeavors.
References:
1 Huisman, T. H., & Dozy, A. M. (1965) Studies on the heterogeneity of hemoglobin: IX. The use of tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane—HCl buffers in the anion-exchange chromatography of hemoglobins. Journal of Chromatography A, 19, 160-169. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967301994348
2 Fujita, Y., Tokunaga, T. and Kataoka H. (2011) Anal. Biochem., 409, 46–53. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20951111
3 Altria, K. D., Smith, N. W. and Turnbull, C. H. (1998) J. Chromatogr. B: Biomed. Sci. Appl., , 717, 341–353.
4 Ferreira C. M., Pinto I.S., Soares, E.V., & Soares H.M. (2015) (Un)suitability of the use of pH buffers in biological, biochemical and environmental studies and their interaction with metal ions – a review, Royal Society of Chemistry 30989-31003. Available at https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/38712/1/document_19948_1.pdf
5 Renganathan M., and Bose S. (1990) Photosynth. Res., 23, 95–99. Available at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00030068
6 Russell, D. W. and Sambrook, J. (2001) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, 3rd edn. Available at https://cshlpress.com/default.tpl?action=full&src=pdf&–eqskudatarq=934
7 El-Harakany, A. A., Halim, F. A., & Barakat, A. O. (1984) Dissociation constants and related thermodynamic quantities of the protonated acid form of tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane in mixtures of 2-methoxyethanol and water at different temperatures. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry and Interfacial Electrochemistry, 162(1), 285-305. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022072884801710
8 Mauger J. W. (2017) Physicochemical Properties of Buffers Used in Simulated Biological Fluids with Potential Application for In Vitro Dissolution Testing: A Mini-review, Dissolution Technologies. August 2017. Available at https://www.dissolutiontech.com/issues/201708/DT201708_A03.pdf
