Overview

HBSS, 1x, Cell Culture Grade - HBSS is the standard non-PBS physiological salt solution for mammalian cell handling. The with-Ca2+/Mg2+ variant supports live-cell washing; the without-Ca2+/Mg2+ variant is used when divalent cations would promote adhesion or inhibit tissue dissociation.

The proposed GMExpression SKU mirrors the existing PBS Cell Culture Grade quality logic: 0.1 um mycoplasma-reduction filtration, low-endotoxin release testing, and cell-culture-compatible packaging.

We also have

S30A Buffer · S30B Buffer · GMExpression Buffer catalogue 

Use and Applications

  • Primary-cell isolation workflows
  • Live-cell washing before plating or imaging
  • Tissue dissociation and trypsin-rinse steps using the no-Ca2+/Mg2+ variant
  • Pharma and biotech cell-assay sample handling

→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.

Specifications

ItemSpecification
Variant AHBSS 1x with Ca2+/Mg2+, 500 mL
Variant BHBSS 1x without Ca2+/Mg2+, 500 mL
Quality statusCell Culture Grade; 0.1 um (mycoplasma-reduction grade) filtered, endotoxin-controlled, released mycoplasma-test-negative (PCR)
Optional indicatorPhenol red variant available on request

Composition 

ComponentAmount / concentrationFunction
NaCl / KClPhysiological ionic strengthMajor extracellular ions
Phosphate saltsLow millimolar rangeMinor buffering contribution
NaHCO3Physiological bicarbonate rangeCO2-linked buffering
D-glucose5.55 mMMetabolic substrate
CaCl2 / MgCl2 / MgSO4Included only in with-Ca2+/Mg2+ variantDivalent cations for cell adhesion and physiology

Instruction

1Use directly as supplied; do not dilute.
2Warm to room temperature or 37 deg C before sensitive live-cell use if required by the protocol.
3Select the no-Ca2+/Mg2+ variant for dissociation steps where cation-dependent adhesion must be reduced.
4Use aseptic technique after opening.

Note

  • The two variants are not interchangeable in primary-cell workflows. Many protocols deliberately use the no-Ca2+/Mg2+ variant first, then the with-Ca2+/Mg2+ variant for recovery washing.

Cautions

Caution. Do not add concentrated calcium or magnesium directly to phosphate-containing solutions; local precipitation may occur.
Caution. Not intended as a complete culture medium. HBSS lacks amino acids, serum, and growth factors.

Sterile Filtration - Mycoplasma-Reduction Grade

Because this product is intended for use with mammalian cells, it is sterilised by filtration through a 0.1 um membrane rather than the conventional 0.22 um sterilising grade. Mycoplasma - the smallest self-replicating bacteria - lack a cell wall and are deformable enough to pass through 0.22 um pores, so a 0.1 um membrane gives a substantially lower mycoplasma margin. Each lot is released mycoplasma-test-negative by PCR. (A 0.02 um virus-grade is reserved for small-volume virus-clearance polishing.)

Storage and Expiry · Safety

  • Store at 2-8 deg C.
  • After opening, use aseptically and keep refrigerated.
  • Unopened shelf life: 18 months after release 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 formulated salt solution presents no significant chemical hazard; observe aseptic technique to preserve sterility. Consult the Safety Data Sheet before use.

References

  1. Hanks and Wallace (1949), Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 71:196-200.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which variant should be used with trypsin?
Use HBSS without Ca2+/Mg2+ unless the protocol explicitly requires divalent cations.
Q2. Can HBSS replace PBS?
In some wash steps yes, but HBSS includes glucose and a more physiological ion profile, so protocol-specific validation is recommended.