Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), also called sodium hydrogen carbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a white, crystalline, water-soluble salt (CAS 144-55-8). It is a mild base and, together with dissolved carbon dioxide, forms the bicarbonate buffer system. Laboratories use it in cell culture media, buffer preparation and neutralisation steps. It is supplied in pharmacopoeial, reagent and food grades, including USP, BP, EP, ACS and FCC.
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Sodium hydrogen carbonate (Sodium bicarbonate)
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Sodium bicarbonate is the sodium salt of the hydrogen carbonate anion (HCO3⁻). It has a molar mass of approximately 84.01 g/mol and is moderately soluble in water. Its aqueous solutions are mildly alkaline. On heating it decomposes to sodium carbonate, water and carbon dioxide, so it should not be dried or autoclaved like a thermally stable salt.
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How is sodium bicarbonate used in the laboratory?
In cell culture, sodium bicarbonate is the main buffering component of many media. It works together with a controlled CO2 atmosphere in the incubator to keep the pH physiological. Media formulated for different CO2 levels contain different bicarbonate concentrations.
It is also combined with sodium carbonate to make carbonate–bicarbonate buffers. These buffers are commonly used for coating ELISA plates at alkaline pH. Other uses include neutralising acid spills and quenching acidic reaction mixtures. It also appears in some analytical and microbiological procedures.
Which grades and specifications matter for procurement?
Commercial material is offered to several standards:
- Pharmacopoeial grades (USP, BP, EP) for pharmaceutical use
- ACS reagent grade for analytical work
- FCC grade for food applications
- Cell culture–tested grades for biological work
Buyers should check the CoA for assay, loss on drying, and limits on heavy metals, chloride, ammonium and insoluble matter. Specified endotoxin or bioburden limits may also be relevant for biological applications.
What are the regulatory and safety considerations?
Sodium bicarbonate is registered under REACH and listed on the TSCA Inventory. It is generally not classified as hazardous under GHS, although the supplier's SDS should always be consulted.
Store it in a cool, dry place in tightly closed containers. Moisture and heat promote gradual decomposition.
Related concepts
The bicarbonate buffer system is closely related to sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), carbonic acid and CO2 equilibria, and to HEPES as an alternative buffer for cell culture. It is also relevant to pH measurement and to the alkaline coating buffers used in ELISA.
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