Are you tired of constantly preparing Tae Buffer? This simple recipe will teach you how to make a 50x stock solution, saving you precious time and ensuring consistent results in your molecular biology experiments. Making a large batch of this crucial buffer is a great way to streamline your lab workflow and focus on your research. Let's dive in and learn how to create this essential reagent easily and efficiently!
Ingredients:
- 242 g Tris Base (Trizma Base)
- 57.1 ml Glacial Acetic Acid
- 100 ml 0.5 M EDTA, pH 8.0 (You can find a recipe for this online, or purchase it pre-made.)
- Distilled Water to bring the final volume up to 1000 ml.
Equipment:
- 1-liter graduated cylinder or volumetric flask
- Magnetic stirrer with stir bar
- pH meter (highly recommended for accuracy)
- Weighing scale (accurate to at least 0.1g)
- Safety goggles and lab coat
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Safety First: Always wear safety goggles and a lab coat when handling chemicals. Work in a well-ventilated area.
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Weigh the Tris Base: Accurately weigh 242 grams of Tris Base using your weighing scale. Record your weight for accuracy.
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Add Tris to Water: Add a small amount of distilled water (around 500ml) into a clean 1-liter volumetric flask or graduated cylinder. Add the weighed Tris Base to the water.
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Add Glacial Acetic Acid: Carefully and slowly add 57.1 ml of glacial acetic acid to the solution while stirring constantly with a magnetic stirrer. Glacial acetic acid is corrosive, so handle with care.
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Add EDTA: Add 100 ml of 0.5 M EDTA (pH 8.0) to the mixture.
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Adjust the pH (Optional): While stirring, monitor the pH of the solution using a pH meter. If your pH meter is available, you can fine-tune the pH to 7.6 – 8.0 if needed. Slight variations are usually acceptable, but consistent pH is ideal. If adjustment is required, you can carefully add small amounts of either Tris base or acetic acid while stirring continuously, until desired pH is reached.
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Adjust Volume: Once the Tris base is dissolved and the pH is adjusted (if necessary), slowly add distilled water to bring the final volume up to 1000 ml. Always make sure to add distilled water slowly to avoid splashing and allow the solution to completely mix by stirring.
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Mix Thoroughly: Ensure the solution is thoroughly mixed by continuing to stir for several minutes.
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Store Properly: Once the solution is mixed, transfer it into a clean, labeled bottle. Store the 50x Tae Buffer at room temperature.
Useful Tips:
- Accuracy is Key: Using a precise weighing scale and measuring instruments is essential for the success of this recipe.
- Gradual Addition: Add the glacial acetic acid slowly to prevent splashing and excessive heat generation.
- Stirring is Crucial: Continuous stirring helps in dissolving the Tris base and ensures a homogenous solution.
- Labeling is Important: Clearly label the bottle with the buffer name, concentration, date of preparation, and your initials.
Variations:
This recipe produces a 50x Tae Buffer. You can adjust the volumes proportionately to make smaller or larger batches. Remember to always maintain the correct ratio of ingredients.
Nutritional Information: (Not Applicable)
This recipe is for a laboratory reagent and is not intended for consumption.
This 50x Tae Buffer recipe provides a clear and efficient method to prepare this essential reagent. By following these steps carefully, you can save time, ensure consistency, and streamline your molecular biology experiments. Happy experimenting!