I'm using sodium butyrate in cell culture, but I'm slightly worried about the stability of my reagents. There is very conflicting information available regarding its stability in aqueous or organic solvents (and even as crystalline solid). How are you handling and storing your butyrate?
Engelbert Buxbaum
- In a sterile solution, the butyrate ion is fairly stable, and above its pKa it is well soluble.
- Most living organisms, including cultured cells, will use it as food, however. After all, it is the salt of a fatty acid.
- Recall that the salts of fatty acids are called soap, and above their cmc they will not mix well with biological membranes. Even at concentration 10 times lower they can change the fluidity of membranes with profound effects on the activity of membrane proteins.
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