Hank's Balanced Salts Solution 1X With phenol red and Sodium bicarbonate Without Calcium is supplied by HiMedia. It is available in the form of a clear, red coloured solution with a pH in the range of 7.1 to 7.7 and an osmolality between 270.00 -310.00 mOsm/Kg H2O. It is advisable to store this product between 15-30C, away from bright light. Composition (in mg/L) is as follows:

Disodium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous (48.00)

Magnesium sulphate anhydrous (97.72)

Potassium chloride (400.00)

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate anhydrous (60.00)

Sodium bicarbonate (350.00)

Sodium chloride (8000.00)

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. A salt solution is predominantly used to maintain the medium within physiological pH range and to maintain intracellular and extra cellular osmotic balance. Supplements like glucose, provide additional energy source. Hank's Balanced Salts is designed to equilibrate with air, hence does not require CO2 air mixture.