Bicine is a zwitterionic buffer compound that belongs to the family of Good's buffers. It is widely used in biochemical and molecular biology experiments to regulate the pH of various solutions. Bicine has a CAS number of 150-25-4 and a molecular formula of C6H13NO4. It has a molecular weight of 175.18 g/mol and a melting point of approximately 212°C.
Bicine was first described by Good and colleagues in 1966 as a superior buffer compared to other buffers such as Tris and phosphate. Bicine has a pKa at 25°C of 8.3 and a buffering capacity between pH 7.6-9.0. It has proven to be particularly useful at stabilizing proteins due to its low interference with enzymatic activity, low cytotoxicity, and low association with metal ions.
Bicine is widely used as a buffer in many applications such as electrophoresis, enzyme kinetics, protein purification, and protein crystallization. It has also been used as a cryoprotectant in biophysical studies of proteins and lipids.
One of the most significant applications of Bicine is in the development of vaccines. Several studies have shown that Bicine can act as an effective adjuvant for vaccines, improving the immune response of the host. Bicine has also been used in the formulation of various types of vaccines, including subunit, split, and inactivated vaccines.
Bicine is also commonly used in cell culture experiments to regulate the pH of cell culture media. It has been shown to be less toxic to cells than other commonly used buffers such as HEPES and MOPS. Bicine is particularly useful in experiments where the pH needs to be regulated over a narrow range.
However, it is important to note that Bicine has some limitations. It is not effective as a buffer at pH values below 7.6 and above 9.0, and it is not stable when exposed to UV light. Therefore, precautions need to be taken when working with Bicine to prevent degradation and ensure accurate experimental results.
In summary, Bicine is a versatile biochemical compound with a wide range of applications in molecular biology, biochemistry, and vaccine development. Its unique properties make it an ideal candidate for buffering solutions in protein studies and cell culture experiments. With its wide range of applications and its effectiveness as a vaccine adjuvant, Bicine is an important compound in scientific research.
Keyword: CAS No. 150-83-4. Although this keyword is not directly related to Bicine, it is still an important compound in scientific research. CAS No. 150-83-4 is the CAS number for phytic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in many plant-based foods. Phytic acid is known for its antioxidant properties and is associated with a range of health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved mineral absorption. Researchers are currently conducting studies to explore the potential health benefits of phytic acid, and it is an important compound in the field of nutraceuticals.