TES buffer is a zwitterionic biological buffer often used as a buffering agent in biological and biochemical research.

Properties

TES is a zwitterionic buffering agent used in biochemistry and molecular biology that was selected and described by Good et al. It is soluble in water at 500 mg/ml,it is part of the Tris family of buffers and has a pKa that is right at physiological pH (7.4) at 25°C, giving it a useful pH range of 6.8 – 8.2. It is used in various protein assays, in micellar electrokinetic chromatography and in Test Yolk Buffer medium. 

Like most neutral pH, amine-based buffers, TES forms a complex with DNA; it affects restriction enzymes kinetics more than HEPES, but less than Tris. It also forms a complex with Cu(II) ions. TES is capable of influencing mRNA expression and embryo development. It is suitable for use in the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay.

Uses

TES is used to make buffer solutions. It has a pKa value of 7.550 (I=0, 25°C) [Goldberg, 2002]. It is one of the Good's buffers and can be used to make zwitterionic buffer solutions in the pH range 6.8–8.2. It is one of the components of Test yolk buffer medium used for refrigeration of semen and transport.

Storage/Handling

Store at room temperature.