Sodium citrate monobasic (CAS 18996-35-5)

Sodium citrate monobasic, a derivative of citric acid, has garnered significant attention in scientific research, particularly in the field of biotechnology and biochemistry. One notable mechanism of action lies in its role as a buffering agent and chelating agent in various biochemical and molecular biology applications. In research laboratories, sodium citrate monobasic is commonly employed in nucleic acid isolation protocols, where it aids in the disruption of cell membranes, denaturation of proteins, and stabilization of nucleic acids, thus facilitating the extraction of high-quality DNA or RNA from biological samples. Furthermore, sodium citrate monobasic finds utility as a component in electrophoresis buffers for agarose gel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), where it helps maintain the pH stability of the running buffer and prevents DNA or RNA degradation during electrophoretic separation. Additionally, it serves as a vital reagent in the preparation of citrate-based buffer systems for enzyme assays, protein crystallization, and cell culture media formulations. Beyond its applications in molecular biology and biochemistry, sodium citrate monobasic has been explored in environmental research as a potential agent for heavy metal ion remediation due to its chelating properties. Overall, the diverse mechanisms and research applications of sodium citrate monobasic highlight its significance in advancing various scientific disciplines, including biotechnology, biochemistry, and environmental science.