SM (Sodium chloride/Magnesium sulfate) Buffer calculator

SM Buffer Preparation Calculator – Instruction Manual

Welcome to The Phage! If you’re familiar with us, you know we offer simple calculators/tools to help scientists prepare reagents and perform lab calculations with ease. This time, we’re excited to introduce the SM Buffer Preparation Calculator! This tool allows you to accurately calculate the amounts of each component needed to make a specific volume of SM buffer, whether you’re using solid compounds or stock solutions. For more helpful tools like this, be sure to visit our Tools Page to simplify your lab work!

Overview

The calculator will guide you through:

  • Selecting if a component will be added as a solid or from a stock solution.
  • Entering the necessary data for the calculation (e.g., buffer volume, initial concentrations for stock solutions).
  • Displaying the amounts (mass for solids or volume for solutions) needed for each component.
SM Buffer Preparation Calculator

How to Use the Calculator

Follow these steps to calculate the amount of each component for your desired SM buffer volume.


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Step 1: Enter the Desired SM Buffer Volume

  1. In the “Enter the desired volume of SM buffer (in mL)” field, type in the total volume of SM buffer you wish to prepare.
    • Example: If you want to make 100 mL of SM buffer, enter 100.

Step 2: Configure Each Component

For each component (NaCl, Tris-HCl, MgSO₄, and Gelatin), you will need to decide whether you are using the component as a solid or as a stock solution. Follow the steps below for each:

heading">Component 1: NaCl
  1. Solid or Solution: Choose whether you are using NaCl as a solid or a solution:
    • Solid: Check the Solid box.
    • Solution: Check the Solution box. When selecting Solution, an additional field will appear to enter the concentration of your NaCl solution.
  2. For Solu
    tions Only
    : If you selected Solution, enter the initial concentration of your NaCl solution (in mM) in the newly visible field.

Component 2: Tris-HCl

  1. Repeat the same steps as above for Tris-HCl:
    • Solid: Select this option if you’re using solid Tris-HCl.
    • Solution: If you’re using a stock Tris-HCl solution, select Solution and enter the concentration of your stock solution in the input field.
4 class="wp-block-heading">Component 3: MgSO₄
  1. Select Solid or Solution depending on how you’re adding MgSO₄ to the buffer.
    • If using a solution, remember to enter the concentration of your MgSO₄ stock in the provided field.

block-heading">Component 4: Gelatin
  1. Finally, choose whether to add Gelatin as a Solid or Solution.
    • If using a solution, input the concentration of your Gelatin solution (usually given in g/100mL).

Step 3: Calculate

Once you’ve entered the desired buffer volume and configured each component

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  1. Click the “Calculate 🧮” button.

  2. Step 4: Review the Results

    The calculator will display the required amount for each component:

    The results will look something like this and the instructions:

    NaCl: 0.5844 g
    Tris-HCl: 2.50 mL
    MgSO₄: 0.10 g
    Gelatin: 0.10 g

    Important Notes


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    Example: Prepare 100 mL SM Buffer

    Let’s say you want to prepare 100 mL of SM buffer using a 1 M NaCl solution, 0.5 M Tris-HCl solution, solid MgSO₄, and solid Gelatin:

    1. Enter buffer volume: 100 mL.
    2. NaCl: Select Solution, then enter 1000 mM (1 M).
    3. Tris-HCl
      : Select Solution, then enter 500 mM (0.5 M).
    4. MgSO₄: Select Solid.
    5. Gelatin: Select Solid.

    Click

    ng>Calculate, and the results will tell you the precise amounts to use!


    By following these steps, you’ll be able to quickly and easily prepare SM buffer with precise measurements.

    A scientist holding SM buffer on a measuring cylinder
    SM Buffer

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