Chitin, MP Biomedicals™

Chitin is a cellulose-like biopolymer consisting predominantly of unbranched chains of b-(1->4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (also named N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) residues.

The effect of BES and other zwitterionic buffers on the Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) measurement of microgram quantities of protein has been studied. BES was found to diminish color development of the protein BCA complex by 30–35% at 50mM, and by <10% at 5mM, measuring in the 1–10mg range of BSA against protein-BCA complexes formed in water. This color loss may result from binding of Cu2+ to BES.

Other uses include:

• A protocol has been reported for the use of BES buffered saline in the calcium phosphate mediated transfection of eukaryotic cells with plasmid DNA
• BES may be employed as binding buffer in modified Eagle′s medium during the binding assay of human melanoma cells
• It may be used as biobuffer to investigate the aqueous medium self-assembly of heterometallic CuII/Li 3D coordination polymers.

Chemical Identifiers

CAS

1398-61-4

Molecular Formula

(C8H13NO5)nC16H28N2O11

Synonym

chitin from shrimp shells, n-2r-2,4,5-trihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl oxan-3-yl acetamide, chitin from shrimp shells, practical grade, powder, chitin from shrimp shells, vetec tm reagent grade, chitin from shrimp shells, practical grade, coarse flakes, chitin from shrimp shells, bioreagent, suitable for analysis of chitinase, purified powder

Melting Point

>300°C (decomposition)(literature)

Quantity

100g

Solubility Information

Soluble in concentrated HCl, H3SO4 or anhydrous Acetic Acid; practically insoluble in water, dil. acids, dil. and concentrated alkalies, alcohol and other organic solvents. There are substantial variations in solubility.

Formula Weight

770.8

Physical Form

Brown Powder

Recommended Storage

Room Temperature (15–30°C)

Recommended Storage

Room Temperature (15–30°C)