Miniprep solution 3 (neutralisation, P3) recipe

Base: 1 L · pH 5.5 (adjust with glacial acetic acid) · Updated 2026-10-01

Neutralises the lysate so plasmid DNA renatures while genomic DNA, protein and SDS precipitate as a white mass: 3 M potassium acetate, pH 5.5.

🧮 Volume calculator
ComponentAmount Final concentration (1X)
Potassium acetate29.44 g3 M
Glacial acetic acidas neededto pH 5.5
Water (distilled)to final volume

Steps

  1. Dissolve potassium acetate in about 50% of the final volume of water.
  2. Adjust to pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid (it takes a lot).
  3. Bring to the final volume with water.
  4. Store at 4 °C and use cold.

Good to know

FAQ

Does it work with silica spin columns?

Silica columns need a guanidine-containing neutralisation buffer for binding; this one is for alcohol-precipitation minipreps.

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.