BES is a zwitterionic buffering agent used in biochemistry and molecular biology that was first selected and described by Good et al. It is a bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine buffer that is useful for a pH range of 6.4 – 7.8. It is soluble in water at 0°C up to 3.2M. Like most neutral, amine-based buffers, BES forms a complex with DNA. It interferes with reactions between DNA and restriction enzymes to a lesser extent than similar buffers with less substituted amine groups, such as Tris. This lack of interference occurs because steric hindrance of the protonated tertiary amine in BES shields the negative charge of DNA to a lesser extent than less substituted buffers. BES can be used in a buffered saline solution in the calcium phosphate mediated transfection of eukaryotic cells with plasmid DNA. BES also forms a complex with certain metals, including copper and cobalt. Though BES binds to coppers ions, it is still suitable for use with the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. Diminished protein-induced color development can be accounted for or even eliminated by precipitating protein prior to reaction with bicinchoninic acid.
Product SpecificationsBES;N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonicAcid;N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)taurine
ULTRA PURE GRADE
Formula: C6H15NO5S
MW: 213.25 g/mol
PubChem Chemical ID: 73243
Storage/Handling: Store at roomtemperature.