0.5 M MES (pH 6.0) recipe
A Good's buffer for pH 5.5–6.7 (pKa 6.1), used for EDC/NHS coupling, plant media and some electrophoresis.
🧮 Volume calculator
| Component | Amount | Final concentration (1X) |
|---|---|---|
| MES monohydrate | 10.66 g | 0.5 M |
| 10 M NaOH | as needed | to pH 6.0 |
| Water (distilled) | to final volume |
Steps
- Dissolve in about 80% of the final volume of water.
- Adjust to pH 6.0 with NaOH.
- Bring to the final volume with water.
- Filter-sterilise through 0.22 µm (do not autoclave). Store at 4 °C.
Good to know
- With anhydrous MES (MW 195.24) use 97.6 g/L.
FAQ
Why not phosphate for EDC reactions?
Phosphate and carboxylate buffers react with EDC and lower yield; MES has no carboxyl or amine groups.
This is a widely used standard composition. Amounts depend on the hydrate form and purity of your reagents — check the formula weight (FW) on the bottle and follow your institution's safety rules and the manufacturers' instructions.