Overview

Artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (aCSF), 10x Stock - Artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (aCSF) is a physiological multi-electrolyte perfusate for isolated brain slices, CNS tissue, and microdialysis workflows.

The GMExpression 10x stock uses the same carbonate-free strategy as the KHB product: bicarbonate is supplied separately and added after dilution to prevent calcium-carbonate and calcium-phosphate instability during storage.

We also have

S30A Buffer · S30B Buffer · GMExpression Buffer catalogue · YCFA Modified Medium · Modified Chopped Meat Broth

Use and Applications

  • Brain-slice electrophysiology and patch-clamp recordings
  • CNS tissue superfusion and microdialysis sampling
  • Neuroscience pharmacology and drug-response studies
  • Physiological Perfusate Family bundle with KHB and Tyrode's Solution

→Buffer Indicator Navigator

Use the GMExpression Buffer Indicator Navigator to find suitable pH ranges that match this buffer system, or start from a specific buffer and search for suitable working pH ranges for the intended experiment.

Package Contents

ItemSpecification
Bottle500 mL stock, makes 5 L of 1x working aCSF
Pilot bottle100 mL stock format available
Companion1 M NaHCO3 sterile solution
Sterility0.1 um (mycoplasma-reduction grade) sterile-filtered; released mycoplasma-test-negative (PCR)

Composition - draft formulation / release specification

ComponentAmount / concentrationFunction
NaCl124-127 mM at 1x targetMajor extracellular ion
KCl1-3 mM at 1x targetPotassium set point
NaH2PO4Approximately 1.2 mM at 1xPhosphate component
MgSO4 or MgCl2Approximately 1.0-1.3 mM at 1xMagnesium component
CaCl2Approximately 2.4 mM at 1xCalcium component
D-glucose10 mM at 1xMetabolic substrate
NaHCO326 mM at 1x, added separatelyCO2-linked pH control

Preparation

1Dilute the 10x stock 1:10 with sterile ultrapure water.
2Add NaHCO3 to the required final concentration using the companion sterile stock or weighed powder.
3Bubble with carbogen (95% O2 / 5% CO2) until pH reaches 7.40 +/- 0.05 at the working temperature.
4Use freshly prepared 1x aCSF on the day of dilution.

Note

  • The concentrated stock is intentionally acidic. Final physiological pH is achieved only after dilution, bicarbonate addition, and carbogen equilibration.

Cautions

Caution. Do not add bicarbonate directly to the 10x stock.
Caution. Reject any bottle showing precipitate or cloudiness before dilution.

Sterile Filtration - Mycoplasma-Reduction Grade

Because this perfusate contacts living CNS tissue, the stock is sterilised through a 0.1 um membrane rather than the conventional 0.22 um sterilising grade. Mycoplasma lack a cell wall and are deformable enough to pass through 0.22 um pores; a 0.1 um membrane gives a substantially higher mycoplasma-retention margin, and each lot is released mycoplasma-test-negative by PCR.

Storage and Expiry · Safety

  • Store stock at 2-8 deg C.
  • Unopened shelf life: 18 months at 2-8 deg C after validation.
  • Transport. Ships at ambient temperature in insulated packaging; brief transit excursions are tolerated. Refrigerate at 2-8 deg C on receipt and protect from freezing.
  • Handling and PPE. Wear a laboratory coat, nitrile gloves, and safety glasses for routine handling. The salt stock presents no significant chemical hazard; maintain aseptic technique. Consult the Safety Data Sheet before use.

References

  1. Edwards, Konnerth, Sakmann and Takahashi (1989), Pfluegers Archiv 414:600-612.
  2. GMExpression Buffer Expansion Task 4 Supplement, T4-A1 and Section 6.5.
  3. Safety Data Sheet: SDS draft to be finalised before commercial release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why not sell complete 1x aCSF?
Complete bicarbonate-containing 1x aCSF is less shelf-stable and is normally prepared fresh. The 10x carbonate-free format solves the storage problem.
Q2. Can the potassium or magnesium concentration be customised?
Yes. Neuroscience laboratories often use protocol-specific aCSF variants, which are feasible as custom lots.
Internal review note. Product page draft prepared for GMExpression review. Final specifications, SDS, CoA fields, QC release limits, product photography, OpenCart options, and commercial pricing should be confirmed before publication.