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What are the disadvantages of phosphate buffer?
Posted December 22, 2023
Buffer Preparations and RecipesPBS
Answer

There are several disadvantages of phosphate buffers and are listed in the bulleted points below. 

  • Phosphate promotes algal or fungal growth as a nutrient (vulnerable to contamination)
  • Phosphate will isolate and precipitate cations, (e.g., calcium and magnesium) 
  • Phosphates inhibit enzymatic reactions
  • Phosphate precipitates in ethanol, thus cannot be used in experiments to precipitate RNA or DNA
Additional resources
BuffersBuffers and Lab Consumables Buffer Preparations and Recipes Phosphate Buffer (pH 5.8 to 7.4) Preparation and Recipe

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