Tricine, a zwitterionic buffer, was first prepared by Good for use as a buffer for chloroplast reactions. It is structurally similar to Tris, but is much less inhibitory at high concentrations. The name tricine comes from tris and glycine from which it was derived.
Tricine can be used in cryopreservation medium for the preservation of tissues and organs. Cryopreservation depends on the physical and chemical characteristics of the preservation medium used. Tricine has been found to be an efficient scavenger of hydroxyl radicals in a study of radiation-induced membrane damage. It is typically the buffer of choice in SDS-PAGE systems when separating proteins in the range of 1 to 100 kDa.
A buffer may be prepared by titrating with sodium hydroxide to the desired pH, using about a half-equivalent of NaOH.
For ATP assays using firefly luciferase, tricine buffer at 25 mM was found to be the best of ten common buffers tested.
Key Applications: Buffer, Cryopreservation medium, Scavenger of hydroxyl radicals
Application Areas: Cell Biology & Analysis, Molecular Biology
Product Type: Biochemicals
Biochemical Category: Buffers
Melting Point: 179-189°C (dec.)(Lit.)
Presentation: White Powder
Format: Powder
pH: 4.5 - 5.5 (1% solution).
Buffering pH Range: 7.4 - 8.8
pKa: 8.1 at 25°C(Lit.)
NOTES: ΔpK/ΔT: -0.0211; Metal Binding Constants (log K) for 0.1 M solution at 20°C: Mg2+: 1.2; Ca2+: 2.4; Mn2+: 2.7; Cu2+: 7.3
Solubility: Very soluble in water (25% w/v - clear, colorless solution).
Sterilization of Solutions: To sterilize solutions, MP recommends filter sterilization using a 0.2 micron filter.
Storage & Handling: Room Temperature