All media used in tissue culture have a basis of a synthetic
mixture of inorganic salts known as a physiological
or balanced salt solution (BSS). All the physiological
salt solutions have been derived from the salt solution
originally described by Sydney Ringer (1885). The first
balanced salt solution to be developed specifically for
supporting the metabolism of mammalian cells was
Tyrode's solution. Since then many modifications have
been done to obtain better buffering salt solutions and to
prevent calcium precipitation.
The function of a salt solution is:
·To maintain the medium within physiological pH range.
·To maintain intracellular and extra cellular osmotic
balance.
·Modified with a carbohydrate, such as glucose serves as
an energy source for cell metabolism.
Hank's balanced salt solution is designed to equilibrate
with air, hence does not require CO2
air mixture. TL1098
is Hank's balanced salt solution with sodium bicarbonate
and is designed for use with cells maintained in less CO2
environment or CO2
free environment. It does not contain
calcium, magnesium and phenol red.