Product Description
LIGHT LABS is proud to offer Mediatech Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS), 1X Without Calcium and Magnesium (Cat # 21-021-CV) — the original physiological balanced salt solution specifically developed to maintain cells at physiological pH in atmospheric (non-CO₂) conditions, provided in a convenient 6 x 500 mL case format. Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution was developed by John H. Hanks and R.E. Wallace in the early 1940s as a physiological salt solution capable of maintaining mammalian cells in an isotonic, pH-stable environment without CO₂ supplementation — making it the preferred buffer for short-term cell maintenance, transport, washing, and manipulation procedures performed outside the CO₂ incubator.
The key distinction between HBSS and the phosphate-buffered salines (PBS, DPBS) offered by Mediatech lies in the buffer system and nutrient composition. Unlike PBS and DPBS which rely solely on phosphate buffering, HBSS employs a bicarbonate-CO₂ balanced salt system at a lower bicarbonate concentration (0.35 g/L) specifically calibrated to maintain physiological pH in atmospheric air without requiring supplemental CO₂ — unlike standard bicarbonate-buffered cell culture media (DMEM, RPMI, etc.) which require 5–10% CO₂ to maintain pH. Additionally, HBSS contains glucose (1.0 g/L) as an energy source and phenol red as a pH indicator — providing cells with basic metabolic support and visual pH monitoring during the limited time they are maintained outside the incubator. This makes HBSS the superior choice over PBS/DPBS when cells must be kept viable during extended bench manipulations.
The 21-021-CV calcium and magnesium-free formulation is the critical format for applications requiring divalent cation-free conditions — particularly cell washing before trypsinization, where Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ would inhibit trypsin, and EDTA-based cell dissociation protocols where Ca²⁺ chelation by EDTA is required. Every production lot is manufactured under ISO 13485 certified quality management system with low endotoxin specifications and a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis. The exceptional 36-month shelf life and wide 2°C to 30°C storage temperature range provide outstanding flexibility in storage and handling. LIGHT LABS is your trusted source for Mediatech cell culture reagents.
KEY FEATURES
- HBSS (Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution) 1X — specifically developed to maintain physiological pH in atmospheric (non-CO₂) conditions; superior to PBS/DPBS for short-term cell viability maintenance outside the incubator
- Without calcium and magnesium — calcium/magnesium-free formulation required for pre-trypsinization cell washing and EDTA-based cell detachment where divalent cations would inhibit enzyme activity
- Glucose included (1.0 g/L) — provides basic metabolic energy support for cells during short-term incubator-free maintenance and transport; advantage over PBS/DPBS which contain no energy substrates
- Phenol red included — visual pH indicator; color change from orange-red (pH 7.4) toward yellow (acidic) or purple (basic) provides immediate visual feedback on pH during cell handling
- Bicarbonate buffer system calibrated for atmospheric CO₂ — maintains physiological pH in air without supplemental CO₂; unlike standard DMEM/RPMI which require CO₂ incubator
- Isotonic formulation — maintains cell tonicity and viability during washing, transport, and handling
- 36-month shelf life — exceptional stability; same as DPBS
- Wide storage temperature range: 2°C to 30°C — refrigerator or ambient temperature storage
- Low endotoxin — suitable for sensitive mammalian cell culture applications
- Mycoplasma tested — every production lot
- Manufactured under ISO 13485 certified quality management system
- Complete Certificate of Analysis available for each production lot
- Liquid, sterile, ready-to-use format; 500 mL bottles; 6 bottles per case
SPECIFICATIONS
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Catalog Number | 21-021-CV |
| Brand | Mediatech |
| Product Name | HBSS (Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution), 1X |
| Formulation | 1X HBSS, without calcium, without magnesium |
| Calcium | No — NOT included |
| Magnesium | No — NOT included |
| Glucose | Yes — 1.0 g/L |
| Phenol Red | Yes — included |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | Yes — at atmospheric CO₂-compatible concentration |
| Concentration | 1X (ready-to-use) |
| Format | Liquid, sterile, ready-to-use |
| Mycoplasma Testing | Yes — each lot tested |
| Quality System | ISO 13485 certified |
| Certificate of Analysis | Yes — lot-specific CoA available |
| Shelf Life | 36 months |
| Volume | 500 mL per bottle |
| Packaging | 6 bottles per case |
| Storage Temperature | 2°C to 30°C (refrigerator or ambient) |
HBSS vs. PBS vs. DPBS — CHOOSING THE RIGHT BUFFER
| Feature | HBSS (21-021-CV) | PBS (21-040-CV) | DPBS (21-031-CV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer System | Bicarbonate (atmospheric CO₂-calibrated) | Phosphate | Phosphate (Dulbecco's formulation) |
| Glucose | Yes — 1.0 g/L | No | No |
| Phenol Red | Yes | No | No |
| pH Stability w/o CO₂ | Yes — specifically designed | Yes | Yes |
| Cell Energy Support | Yes (glucose) | No | No |
| Best For | Short-term cell viability; transport; extended bench manipulations | General purpose; reagent dilution; rapid wash | Mammalian cell culture washing; trypsinization pre-wash |
| Shelf Life | 36 months | 24 months | 36 months |
APPLICATIONS
- Short-term maintenance of cells in physiological conditions outside the CO₂ incubator
- Cell washing before trypsinization — removes Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ that inhibit trypsin; glucose provides energy support during wash
- Cell transport between labs, incubators, and instruments
- Cell washing for flow cytometry sample preparation
- Tissue dissection and primary cell isolation procedures
- Organ and tissue short-term maintenance at physiological pH
- EDTA-based cell dissociation pre-wash
- Cell counting and viability assessment washes
- Any application requiring isotonic, physiological pH buffer with basic glucose energy support in non-CO₂ conditions
ORDERING INFORMATION — MEDIATECH HBSS & BUFFERED SALT SOLUTIONS
| Cat # | Description | Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ | Glucose | Volume | Pkg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21-021-CV | HBSS, 1X, Without Calcium & Magnesium | No | Yes | 500 mL | 6/case |
| 21-021-CM | HBSS, 1X, Without Calcium & Magnesium | No | Yes | 1 L | 6/case |
| 20-021-CV | HBSS, 1X, With Calcium & Magnesium | Yes | Yes | 500 mL | 6/case |
| 20-023-CV | HBSS, 10X, Without Calcium & Magnesium | No | Yes | 500 mL | 6/case |
| 21-031-CV | DPBS, 1X, Without Calcium & Magnesium | No | No | 500 mL | 6/case |
| 21-040-CV | PBS, 1X, Without Calcium & Magnesium | No | No | 500 mL | 6/case |
| 20-030-CV | DPBS, 1X, With Calcium & Magnesium | Yes | No | 500 mL | 6/case |
