About Hank's balanced salt solution - (Jul/13/2008 )

In Hank's balanced salt solution, as i do the cell culture, I use calcium and magnesium free Hank's balanced salt solution .

I would like to know why calcium and magnesium free solution is used?

What is the effect if calcium and magnesium are present in the solution ??

Thanks

I guess you don't culture cells in HBSS, but you mean you wash/subculture them in it. In that case Ca would inhibit trypsin, and that's why you use Ca-free. I don't know what effect would Mg have on it. But if you don't need it, it is better to leave it out.

Hi Kupac,

What about Collagenase does do Ca and Mg have any effect on its activity if present in the enzyme solution?

Pooja

Collagenase depends on Ca.