1. Why should I spend money on pre-made buffers when my lab can make a fresh buffer each day?



2. What makes a CE buffer different from any other buffer?



3. Why is too much BGE a bad thing?



4. How are MicroSolvCE Buffers formulated specifically for CE?



5. What package sizes do MicroSolvCE Buffers come in?



6. Do MicroSolvCE Buffers come with Certificates of Analysis?



7. How do I get an MSDS for a MicroSolvCE Buffer?



8. Are all MicroSolvCE Buffers filtered and how are they filtered?



9. How do I minimize bacterial growth in the MicroSolvCE Buffers?



10. Are MicroSolvCE buffers available in custom lots and formula design?



11. How long will the Zeta Buffers™ be good to use before they are expired? Can I use them after the expiration date on the bottle?

1. Why should I spend money on pre-made buffers when my lab can make a fresh buffer each day? [top]
The cost of the time it takes to make a high quality CZE buffer in your lab is actually higher than the cost to purchase a commercially available, GMP produced product. Also, you will increase the transferability of your work by using commercial buffers. Developing a method with the same buffer that is available to the rest of the scientific community plays a significant role in having your results reproduced and transferred to other labs. Buffer inconsistencies should be avoided.

2. What makes a CE buffer different from any other buffer? [top]
The most important parameters of precise EOF are the conditions that create it. The capillary wall and the run buffer work together to create the flow and when these parameters vary from batch to batch, the EOF will be different. Making a CZE buffer is much different than making other common laboratory buffers. The background electrolyte (BGE) of the buffer helps to create current and voltage and must be in the same concentration for each buffer lot to help assure precise EOF. Predicting the concentration of solutions before they are mixed is imperative, as you cannot back-titrate to your desired pH if you overshoot. The reason is an increase in BGE will cause different conductivity.

3. Why is too much BGE a bad thing? [top]
Too much BGE can cause erratic EOF due to an increase in the Joule Heating that may develop due to the higher current.

4. How are MicroSolvCE Buffers formulated specifically for CE? [top]
Our buffers are manufactured, under GMP, and formulated to have a resulting concentration of BGE after blending. Two concentrations of solutions mixed together do not always add up to the same concentrations after they are mixed. Our recipes and formula have been developed to make sure that not only pH and conductivity are consistent but also concentrations are accurate.

5. What package sizes do MicroSolvCE Buffers come in? [top]
MEKC buffers are packaged in 125ml size and other buffers are packaged in 250ml sizes.

6. Do MicroSolvCE Buffers come with Certificates of Analysis? [top]
Yes. If you request a certificate from us, we will send it to you at no additional charge.

7. How do I get an MSDS for a MicroSolvCE Buffer? [top]
There are two ways to get them, you can download them from this website or you can contact us directly and we will send them to you at no additional charge.

8. Are all MicroSolvCE Buffers filtered and how are they filtered? [top]
All MicroSolvCE Buffers are filtered through a .2m filter at the time of filling.

9. How do I minimize bacterial growth in the MicroSolvCE Buffers? [top]
You can keep them in a cold room and you can add a little sodium azide.

10. Are MicroSolvCE buffers available in custom lots and formula design? [top]
Yes, for details, contact us or click here to learn about our Custom CE Buffer service and to request a custom buffer.

11. How long will the Zeta Buffers™ be good to use? Can I use them after the expiration date on the bottle? [top]
The expiration dates on the Zeta Buffers™ has always been somewhat of a question for users. Some companies have internal policies for all reagents and solutions regarding expiration. You should check with you supervisor for specific policies.

Generally speaking, the buffers that are either very low or very high pH, <4 or >9, will unquestionably be very stable, in that they will not grow mold or bacteria, which is usually the biggest problem for CE buffers. Chemically, they are all very stable.

The worst buffers for growth will be pH 6-8 phosphates and phosphate combinations. Aqueous pH 7 phosphate mobile phases can plug up the instrument within 24 hours from mold growth after production. A possible remedy for this is to filter the buffers through a 0.22µm syringe filter to “cold sterilize” before use.

A simple examination for cloudiness will quickly tell you if it has expired or needs to be filtered.