At a glance
| Salt | Standard PBS (1X) | Dulbecco’s PBS (1X) |
|---|---|---|
| NaCl | 8.0 g/L | 8.0 g/L |
| KCl | 0.2 g/L | 0.2 g/L |
| Na₂HPO₄ (anhydrous) | 1.44 g/L | 1.15 g/L |
| KH₂PO₄ | 0.24 g/L | 0.2 g/L |
| CaCl₂ and MgCl₂·6H₂O | Usually none | Optional, 0.1 g/L each in the “with Ca/Mg” version |
| Typical pH | About 7.4 | About 7.0 to 7.4 |
These are the common reference recipes. Commercial products vary, so check the label for the one you use.
With or without calcium and magnesium
Calcium and magnesium support the cell-to-cell and cell-to-surface attachment that adherent cells rely on. That gives a simple rule:
- Without Ca/Mg: rinsing before trypsin, detaching cells, single-cell suspensions, and general washing and dilution.
- With Ca/Mg: washes where cells should stay attached and keep normal adhesion.
Calcium can also precipitate with phosphate at higher concentrations or after autoclaving. That’s one reason calcium-free versions are the everyday default.
Which one we sell
Our phosphate buffered saline is sterile 1X PBS without calcium or magnesium, the general-purpose choice for rinsing, dilution and wash buffers.
Questions
Is DPBS the same as PBS?
No. Both are isotonic phosphate-buffered salt solutions near pH 7.4, but Dulbecco’s PBS (DPBS) is a different formulation, with less phosphate than standard PBS, and it is sold with or without calcium and magnesium.
When should I use PBS without calcium and magnesium?
Use it when you want cells to loosen or stay apart, for example when rinsing before trypsin, detaching cells or making single-cell suspensions. Calcium and magnesium help cells attach.
When is calcium and magnesium useful?
When cells must stay attached and keep their normal adhesion during washes or short incubations.
More PBS guides
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