Overview

MES Buffer, 1M, pH 6.0 - MES is a Good's buffer for the slightly acidic pH band. It is particularly useful where acetate is too chemically active, phosphate is incompatible with metals, or Tris is outside its preferred buffering range.

The pH 6.0 stock supports cation-exchange chromatography, biotin-streptavidin workflows, and NuPAGE MES running-buffer preparation.

Use and Applications

  • Cation-exchange chromatography for basic proteins
  • NuPAGE MES SDS-PAGE running-buffer preparation for small proteins
  • Slightly acidic enzyme and binding assays
  • Protein purification workflows requiring low metal interaction

Specifications

ItemSpecification
Bottle500 mL sterile bottle
Concentration1 M MES, pH 6.0
Sterility0.2 um sterile-filtered
Custom pHAvailable within the effective MES pH band

Composition

ComponentAmount / concentrationFunction
MES free acid1 M; CAS 4432-31-9Primary buffering compound
NaOHq.s. to pH 6.0pH adjustment
Ultrapure waterq.s. to final volumeSolvent

Instruction

1Dilute the 1 M stock to the desired final concentration, commonly 10-100 mM.
2Verify final pH after adding salts or protein-stabilising excipients.
3Use sterile technique when preparing cell-compatible working solutions.

Note

  • MES is strongest near pH 6.1 and should not be used as the primary buffer above approximately pH 6.7.

Cautions

Caution. Check compatibility before using MES with assays that are sensitive to sulfonic acid buffers.
Caution. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles of high-concentration stocks.

Storage and Expiry · Safety

  • Store at 2-8 deg C or room temperature away from strong light.
  • Unopened shelf life: 24 months from manufacture after QC validation.
  • Transport. Ships at ambient temperature; no cold chain required. Protect from freezing and from temperatures above 40 deg C.
  • Handling and PPE. Wear a laboratory coat, nitrile gloves, and safety glasses for routine handling. The formulated buffer presents no significant hazard under normal use; avoid ingestion and eye contact. Consult the Safety Data Sheet before use.

References

  1. Good et al. (1966), Biochemistry 5:467-477.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is MES a replacement for acetate buffer?
It can occupy a similar acidic range, but MES is zwitterionic and often preferred for protein assays where acetate chemistry is undesirable.
Q2. Can MES be used for small proteins on Bis-Tris gels?
Yes. MES running systems are commonly selected for better resolution of lower-molecular-weight proteins.