ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the practicalities of buffer preparation, and show how the rather abstract theory. There are two common methods of preparation of a buffer at a fixed pH. In both, the goal is the same—to prepare a mixture of the acidic and basic components in the correct proportions. Most common buffer species have very weak metal ion binding capacity, and it is common to see a chelator such as EDTA added to these buffers to prevent protein inactivation by heavy metal binding. In the first method, the two components are dissolved in the same solution, and the final pH should be the same as has been calculated. A limitation in the preparation of stock buffer solutions can be the solubility of the buffer components. Strong buffer stocks can often be so hypertonic that they will not sustain growth of fungi, bacteria, or algae. A more dilute solution can generate conditions that favour growth.
