PEG1450 Solution (50%, Sterile) - BioReagent

Cat. No.: P1528862

GRADE & PURITY BioReagent

Storage

Store at 2-8°C

Shipped In

Wet ice

Overview

This product is a ready-to-use sterile solution prepared by dissolving polyethylene glycol (PEG1450) in phosphate-buffered saline and sterilized by membrane filtration. Its mechanism of action involves the alteration of cell membrane structure, promoting the dispersion and rearrangement of lipid molecules at cell contact sites, thereby inducing cell fusion through the mutual affinity of the lipid bilayer and surface tension. As a classic cell fusion agent, this product is primarily used in hybridoma cell fusion experiments for monoclonal antibody production. For research use only. Not for clinical diagnosis. Important Note When stored at 2–8°C, this product tends to become a viscous, semi-waxy, semi-solid mass due to aggregation of high-concentration polymer chains. This is an inherent physical characteristic of the formulation at this concentration and does not indicate product deterioration. Before use, warm the solution in a 37–50°C water bath until fully reconstituted and mix thoroughly to restore a clear, homogeneous liquid, after which it can be used normally for cell fusion experiments without compromising performance. Do not store at –20°C.

Specifications

Specifications & Purity

BioReagent

Storage

Store at 2-8°C

Shipped In

Wet ice

This product requires cold chain shipping. Ground and other economy services are not available.

Grade

BioReagent

Product Line

biological_products

Application Protocols

The following protocols are literature-based examples adapted for a sterile 50% PEG 1450 solution. They provide starting points for optimization; they are not validated for this specific item.

1. Protein precipitation (bench-scale)

• Materials: Target protein solution in buffer, 50% sterile PEG 1450 solution, NaCl (optional), centrifuge.
• Procedure:
  • Bring samples and PEG solution to room temperature to reduce viscosity.
  • While stirring, add PEG solution dropwise to achieve 5–15% final PEG (define basis). Optionally add NaCl to 0.2–0.5 M.
  • Incubate 15–30 min at 4–25 °C.
  • Centrifuge 10,000–20,000 × g for 10–20 min. Decant supernatant; resuspend pellet in desired buffer.
• Notes: Titrate PEG % and salt for selectivity; maintain sterility if required.

2. DNA concentration (PEG precipitation)

• Materials: Aqueous DNA solution, 50% PEG 1450 solution, 5 M NaCl (or protocol-specific salt), cold centrifuge.
• Procedure:
  • Adjust sample to 7–12% PEG and ~0.7–1.0 M NaCl.
  • Mix gently and incubate on ice or at 4 °C for 1–2 h (or overnight for dilute samples).
  • Centrifuge ≥12,000 × g for 15–30 min at 4 °C. Wash pellet with 70% ethanol; air-dry and rehydrate.
• Notes: Fragment size affects yield; optimize PEG% and incubation.

3. Macromolecular crowding in enzyme assays

• Procedure:
  • Prepare assay buffer and add PEG 1450 to 2–20% final.
  • Equilibrate temperature; pre-incubate enzyme/substrates with PEG for consistent conditions.
  • Include PEG-free controls to deconvolute viscosity vs. crowding effects.

Ensure concentration basis clarity (w/w vs w/v) when using the 50% solution. Maintain sterile technique for aseptic workflows.

Biological Roles

Applicability note: PEG 1450 is a synthetic, nonionic polymer and does not have intrinsic metabolic or signaling roles in living systems. The points below describe its functional effects in biochemical systems (literature), not endogenous biology.

• Excluded-volume (crowding) agent:

  • Increases effective macromolecule concentrations by reducing available solvent volume, shifting equilibria toward association, folding, or assembly. Useful in reconstituted systems to approximate cellular crowding.

• Stabilization/anti-aggregation behavior:

  • PEG can reduce protein surface adsorption and colloidal aggregation via steric repulsion; effects are protein- and condition-dependent.

• Osmotic stressor:

  • High PEG concentrations impose osmotic pressure, enabling osmotic-stress experiments to probe macromolecular hydration and conformational changes.

• Crystallization facilitator:

  • In protein crystallography, PEGs in the ~1–8 kDa range precipitate/provide controlled supersaturation, aiding crystal nucleation and growth.

• Nucleic acid and virus concentration:

  • PEG promotes phase separation/precipitation of nucleic acids and viral particles in the presence of salts, enabling concentration from dilute solutions.

• Enzyme activity modulation:

  • Crowding can increase apparent catalytic efficiency for some enzymes by favoring compact states or stabilizing complexes; however, viscosity can limit diffusion. Empirical optimization is essential.

Caveat: Biological compatibility and effects depend on concentration, ionic strength, temperature, and the specific biomolecule. Always perform condition screens to balance activity, stability, and crowding.

Buffer Applications

While PEG 1450 does not serve as a classical buffering agent, it is widely used as an additive in aqueous buffers to modulate macromolecular behavior. The following are literature-based practices for incorporating PEG into buffers. Item-specific specifications (pH, solvent, concentration basis) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• General buffer formulation with PEG:

  • Start with your assay buffer (e.g., PBS, Tris, HEPES, MES) at desired pH/ionic strength.
  • Add sterile PEG 1450 solution to reach a final PEG concentration typically between 2% and 20% (mass/volume or mass/mass per protocol). Mix gently until homogeneous.
  • For precipitation workflows, combine PEG with salts (e.g., 0.2–1.0 M NaCl or appropriate counterions) to tune selectivity.

• Example use-cases (literature):

  • Protein crystallization drops: 5–40% PEG (1–2 kDa range) in reservoir; adjust with buffer and precipitant salts.
  • Protein concentration/cleanup: 5–15% PEG with moderate salt to selectively precipitate target proteins, followed by centrifugation.
  • Nucleic acid concentration: 7–12% PEG with salts (e.g., NaCl) to precipitate DNA/RNA; conditions vary by fragment size and desired purity.

• Practical guidance:

  • Temperature affects viscosity and kinetics; perform mixing at room temperature unless biomolecule stability dictates colder conditions.
  • Filter-sterilize final buffer if sterility is required and components are compatible.
  • Document concentration basis (w/w vs w/v) to ensure reproducibility, especially when using pre-made PEG solutions of unspecified basis.

Note: PEG does not provide pH buffering capacity; maintain buffering power with conventional buffer components.

Green Alternatives

Context: PEGs are often considered relatively benign, water-miscible polymeric additives with low volatility and favorable EHS profiles compared to many organic solvents or precipitants. Selection should balance performance, viscosity, downstream compatibility, and environmental considerations.

Comparison (literature-based, qualitative):

• PEG 1450 vs PEG 8000

  • Performance: PEG 8000 often achieves precipitation at lower mass fractions due to higher MW.
  • Green aspects: Both are low volatility and low flammability. Higher MW increases viscosity and can complicate cleaning/waste.
  • Tradeoff: PEG 1450 is easier to handle/pipette at high concentrations; PEG 8000 may reduce required mass but increases mixing time.

• PEG 1450 vs Glycerol

  • Performance: Glycerol is an effective cryoprotectant/viscosity enhancer but a weaker precipitant/crowder.
  • Green aspects: Glycerol is bioderived and readily biodegradable; low hazard profile.
  • Tradeoff: Choose glycerol when cryoprotection and enzyme stabilization outweigh precipitation needs.

• PEG 1450 vs Salting-out alone (e.g., ammonium sulfate)

  • Performance: Salts alone precipitate proteins but can denature or require extensive desalting.
  • Green aspects: High-salt waste increases environmental burden.
  • Tradeoff: PEG allows lower salt loads; combined PEG+salt can reduce total salt usage for similar outcomes.

Operational green tips:

• Work in aqueous systems where possible; avoid unnecessary cosolvents.
• Reuse labware thoughtfully; viscous PEG residues rinse well with warm water.
• Minimize overuse: titrate to the minimum PEG % that achieves the desired effect.

Note: This section provides general, literature-based guidance; verify process-specific EHS constraints with your institution.

Pharmaceutical Uses

Research-use context only: Per Product Data, this product is for research use only. The following describes general excipient roles of PEGs (literature) and does not imply suitability for clinical or manufacturing use of this specific item.

• Excipient roles of PEGs (general):

  • Solubilizer and cosolvent in aqueous/semisolid formulations.
  • Viscosity modifier and plasticizer in topical and oral research formulations.
  • Humectant to retain moisture in semisolids.
  • Precipitating/crowding agent in upstream process development studies (e.g., protein precipitation screens).

• Typical selection rationale (literature):

  • PEG 1450’s midrange MW provides semisolid character when neat; in solution it offers robust viscosity control with manageable handling.
  • Often paired with other excipients (e.g., surfactants, buffers, salts) to tune rheology and stability of research formulations.

• Standards/monographs:

  • Polyethylene glycols have pharmacopeial monographs (e.g., PEGs in USP/Ph. Eur.). However, compliance of this specific product to any pharmacopeia is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Compatibility considerations:

  • Nonionic and generally compatible with many APIs and biologicals; may affect protein conformation/aggregation depending on concentration.
  • Low volatility aids process robustness; clean-up can require warm water rinses.

• Sterility/endotoxin:

  • This item is described as sterile, but sterility method/endotoxin limits are Not specified for this item; verify via CoA if critical.

No therapeutic or clinical claims are made; selection and qualification for any regulated use require appropriate validation.

Physical Properties

Item-specific (from Product Data):

• Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Composition: 50% solution (sterile). The solvent and concentration basis are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Literature/general properties for PEG 1450 (neat polymer; not specifications for this item):

• Physical state: Wax/solid at ambient conditions (soft solid) with strong temperature dependence.
• Typical melting range (PEG 1500 as proxy): ~44–48 °C (literature); PEG 1450 behaves similarly with a low-melting soft solid profile.
• Density (solid, 20–25 °C): ~1.19–1.22 g/mL (literature, grade-dependent).
• Solubility: Miscible with water; soluble in many polar organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone to limited extent, acetonitrile), and partially in dichloromethane; poor in hexanes (literature trends for PEGs).
• Hygroscopicity: Moderate; retains water and can alter apparent viscosity and melting behavior (literature).
• Viscosity: Strongly MW- and temperature-dependent; 50% solutions are typically viscous but pipettable at room temperature (literature generalization).
• pKa / logP: Not applicable as a polymeric diol; PEGs are nonionizable under neutral conditions and effectively highly hydrophilic (literature context).
• Refractive index (nD, aqueous solutions): Increases with PEG concentration; e.g., ~1.36–1.39 for 30–60% PEG in water at 20–25 °C (literature; solvent and temperature dependent).

Use considerations for solutions (general):

• The viscosity and density of a 50% PEG 1450 solution will be higher than water; equilibrate to room temperature to improve handling.
• Exact BP/MP, density, refractive index of this specific solution are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Quality & Grades

• Item-specific quality designation: BioReagent grade (from Product Data).

  • BioReagent grade typically indicates suitability for common biological research workflows (e.g., sample preparation, biochemical assays), emphasizing low levels of common biological contaminants. However, specific acceptance criteria (bioburden, endotoxin, heavy metals, UV absorbance) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Sterility:

  • The product is described as “Sterile.” The sterilization method (e.g., 0.2 μm filtration vs. gamma) and sterility assurance level are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Post-opening, sterility depends on user handling; employ aseptic technique.

• Solution specifications:

  • Labeled as a 50% solution. The basis (w/w vs w/v), solvent identity, pH, conductivity, and viscosity ranges are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Stabilizers/preservatives:

  • No stabilizers or preservatives are listed in the Product Data. If critical to your application (e.g., proteomics, cell culture), confirm the absence/presence via CoA/Spec Sheet.

• What this means practically:

  • Appropriate for research workflows requiring a sterile, concentrated PEG medium (e.g., macromolecular crowding, precipitation screens, viscosity modulation) when exact excipient specifications are not mandated.
  • For regulated workflows (QC bioassays, GMP development), verify lot-specific attributes (sterility, endotoxin/bioburden, particulate, pH/osmolality) with the CoA before use.

Reaction & Applications

Primary use domain (this product): life science workflows that leverage PEG as a nonionic, water-miscible polymer to adjust macromolecular behavior. The following are literature-based applications pertinent to a sterile 50% PEG 1450 solution; they are not item-specific performance claims.

• Macromolecular crowding:

  • Simulates the intracellular milieu, enhancing folding rates or assembly of complexes. Typical final concentrations: 5–20% (w/v or w/w, protocol-dependent). Effects are protein-specific and should be titrated.

• Precipitation/concentration:

  • Proteins and protein complexes: PEG induces excluded-volume–driven precipitation. Optimize salt type/strength (e.g., NaCl, ammonium sulfate) and PEG percentage.
  • Nucleic acids and viruses/phage: PEG with salts (e.g., NaCl/MgSO4) concentrates plasmids, DNA, RNA, or viral particles via volume exclusion.

• Crystallization (structural biology):

  • PEGs in the 1–2 kDa range are common precipitants in vapor diffusion and microbatch screens. Adjust PEG % and buffer pH/ionic strength; use a matrix approach.

• Formulation and stabilization (research):

  • Viscosity modifier and humectant in enzyme storage buffers; can reduce surface adsorption and aggregation of proteins or nanoparticles.

• Materials/nanochemistry (bench-scale):

  • Soft templating agent or steric stabilizer in nanoparticle synthesis; steric hindrance from PEG chains can control growth/aggregation.

• Not typically used as a reactive reagent: Unfunctionalized PEG 1450 lacks activated end groups; for covalent PEGylation, use activated PEG derivatives (e.g., NHS-, maleimide-, aldehyde-PEG).

Practical notes:

• Maintain sterility as needed; filter-sterilize final formulations if compatible.
• Account for viscosity when pipetting; use positive displacement where helpful.
• Verify downstream assay compatibility; PEG can interfere with some dye-binding assays.

Reaction Conditions

This product is predominantly used to condition aqueous media rather than to participate chemically. The following literature-based conditions illustrate typical ranges where PEG 1450 solutions are employed. They are general guidance, not specifications or performance claims for this item.

• Protein precipitation (example ranges):

  • Matrix: Aqueous buffers (e.g., PBS, Tris).
  • PEG final: 5–15% (mass/volume or mass/mass as defined by protocol).
  • Salt: 0–1.0 M NaCl or other salts to tune selectivity.
  • Temperature: 4–25 °C.
  • Time: 10–60 min incubation; centrifuge at 10,000–20,000 × g for 10–30 min.
  • Expected outcome: Precipitation of selected proteins; optimize empirically.

• Nucleic acid/virus concentration (example ranges):

  • PEG final: 7–12% with 0.5–1.0 M NaCl (or protocol-specific salt composition).
  • Temperature: Often 4 °C to enhance yield.
  • Time: 1–16 h incubation; pelleting by high-speed centrifugation.

• Macromolecular crowding in enzyme assays:

  • PEG final: 2–20% depending on target and acceptable viscosity.
  • Temperature: As required by enzyme; viscosity decreases at higher temperature.
  • Observation: Reaction rates may change due to crowding vs. diffusion limits; titrate PEG level.

• Protein crystallization (screening):

  • PEG (1–2 kDa range): 5–40% in reservoir; vapor diffusion at 4–20 °C.
  • Combine with buffers (pH 4–9) and salts/precipitants per screen design.

Notes:

• Always define concentration basis (w/v vs w/w) when using pre-made PEG solutions.
• Maintain sterility where required; filter-sterilize mixed solutions if compatible.
• For chemical synthesis in PEG-containing systems, adjust stirring and temperature to manage viscosity and mass transfer.

Safety & Handling

Item-specific hazard information (from Product Data):

• Signal Word: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
• H-Statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
• GHS Classification/Pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.

General safety guidance for PEG solutions (literature; not a substitute for SDS):

• Classification: PEGs are generally regarded as low acute hazard, nonvolatile, and nonflammable in aqueous solution. Nonetheless, handle according to good laboratory practice.
• PPE: Wear lab coat, safety glasses, and suitable chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile). For sterile applications, use aseptic technique, sterile disposables, and biosafety cabinet as appropriate.
• Inhalation risk: Minimal for aqueous solutions; avoid aerosol generation. For heated handling, avoid mists.
• Skin/eye contact: May cause mechanical irritation; rinse with water for several minutes if contact occurs. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
• Ingestion: Not intended for human/animal consumption. Rinse mouth; seek medical advice if swallowed.
• Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents (e.g., nitric acid, peroxides) can oxidize polyethers; avoid contact. Dry PEGs can form peroxides on prolonged air/UV exposure, but aqueous sterile solutions mitigate this risk.
• Thermal considerations: Viscosity decreases with temperature; avoid overheating to prevent degradation (ether scission begins at elevated temperatures >>100 °C under harsh conditions).
• Microbiological considerations: Although this product is sterile, maintain sterility post-opening. Use sterile technique; aliquot to minimize repeated entries.

Always consult the SDS and institutional risk assessments for authoritative safety and first-aid instructions.

Solvent Selection

Applicability note: PEG1450 Solution is not itself a conventional small-molecule solvent. It functions as a high–molecular weight, nonionic cosolute/crowding agent in aqueous media. Selection guidance below focuses on its behavior as a medium modifier rather than as a primary solvent.

• Polarity and miscibility (literature):

  • PEGs are highly hydrophilic; PEG 1450 is fully miscible with water and many polar organics. A 50% aqueous solution forms a single phase with water and commonly with buffered saline solutions.
  • Salting-out: High ionic strength (e.g., ≥0.5–1 M salts) can synergize with PEG to precipitate biomacromolecules (protein/DNA/virus concentration protocols).

• When to choose PEG1450 solution:

  • To increase solution viscosity, impose macromolecular crowding, or modulate excluded-volume effects in biochemical assays.
  • To precipitate or concentrate proteins, nucleic acids, phage/viruses (protocol-dependent; often 5–20% final PEG with added salts; literature).
  • As a crystallization agent in structural biology screens (PEG 1000–2000 ranges are common; PEG 1450 behaves similarly).

• Comparison to alternatives (literature, qualitative):

  • Glycerol: Strong cryoprotectant and viscosity enhancer; less effective for macromolecular precipitation than PEG.
  • PEG 400/600: Lower MW PEGs reduce viscosity and increase solvency for hydrophobes but offer weaker crowding per mass.
  • PEG 8000: Stronger precipitant and crowding agent per mass but much higher viscosity and slower mass transfer.

• Practical tips:

  • Mix at room temperature for homogeneous blending; pre-warm gently if needed to reduce viscosity.
  • Confirm compatibility with sensitive enzymes or binding assays; PEG can modulate activity or binding equilibria.

Storage & Reconstitution

Item-specific instructions (from Product Data):

• Storage Conditions: Store at 2–8 °C.
• Shipped In: Wet ice.

Additional guidance for this product form (general best practices):

• Container handling:
  • Keep tightly closed to prevent contamination and evaporation. Because this is a sterile product, minimize time open and use aseptic technique when accessing.
• Temperature considerations:
  • At 2–8 °C, viscosity increases markedly; warm to room temperature to improve flow. If any crystallization or phase separation is observed, gently warm (e.g., 25–37 °C water bath) and mix until homogeneous. Avoid overheating.
• Freezing/Thawing:
  • Avoid freeze–thaw cycles for sterile solutions to minimize precipitation, phase separation, and potential bioburden risks post-thaw.
• Aliquoting:
  • For repeated use, consider sterile aliquots to reduce contamination risk. Use sterile, low-binding labware if working with sensitive biomolecules.
• Reconstitution/Dilution:
  • This product is supplied as a ready-to-use 50% solution. The solvent identity and concentration basis (w/w vs w/v) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. When preparing working concentrations, calculate additions based on the specified basis or confirm by density/mass measurement.
• Shelf life and specifications:
  • Expiry, pH, endotoxin/bioburden limits, and preservative status are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Always follow your institution’s sterile handling procedures and consult the CoA/SDS for lot-specific guidance.

Structure & Identity

Brief description: PEG1450 Solution (50%, Sterile) is a sterile, ready-to-use formulation of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of ~1450, provided as a 50% solution (solvent not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet).

• Item-specific identifiers (from Product Data):

  • CAS: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • InChIKey: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • SMILES: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular Formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular Weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Literature/general identity (for context; not item-specific specifications):

  • Compound type: Nonionic polyether (polyethylene glycol, PEG), polydisperse mixture.
  • Repeat unit: –CH2–CH2–O– (ethylene oxide unit).
  • Average Mn (nominal): ~1450 g/mol (PEG 1450 designation; literature).
  • Generic polymer formula: H–(O–CH2–CH2)ₙ–OH, where n ≈ 33 (for Mn ≈ 1450; literature estimate).

• Structural features (2D description, literature):

  • Linear, flexible polyether backbone of alternating –CH2–CH2– and –O– units, terminated by primary hydroxyl groups (diol end groups in the nonfunctional PEG grade).
  • No rings, no stereocenters; highly hydrophilic due to ether oxygens and terminal –OH groups.
  • Polydisperse distribution (Đ > 1); PEG “1450” denotes an average, not a single molecular entity.

• Notes on this product form:

  • Labeled as “Solution (50%, Sterile)”. The solvent (e.g., water) and exact concentration basis (w/w or w/v) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Synthetic Utility

Although PEG 1450 (unfunctionalized) is not a classical reactive reagent, it has useful roles in synthesis and materials preparation (literature context):

• Reaction medium modifier:

  • Acts as a polar, nonvolatile cosolute/cosolvent in aqueous or mixed-media reactions, providing phase homogenization and altered microviscosity. PEG-assisted rate enhancements or selectivity changes are documented for certain transition-metal and organocatalyzed processes.

• Phase-transfer/catalysis support:

  • Polyether chains can weakly complex cations; PEGs sometimes serve as benign alternatives to crown ethers in phase-transfer-like scenarios, especially with alkali salts in aqueous-organic systems.

• Stabilizer/templating agent:

  • In nanoparticle synthesis (e.g., noble metals, oxides), PEG can cap surfaces, limit aggregation, and tune particle size via steric stabilization.

• Immobilization/solubilization aid:

  • PEG increases solubility of polar/ionic substrates in low-organic-content systems, which can reduce reliance on volatile organic solvents.

• Not a PEGylation reagent:

  • Lacking activated termini, PEG 1450 does not form covalent conjugates under mild conditions. For synthetic PEGylation, select end-activated PEGs (e.g., NHS-PEG, aldehyde-PEG, epoxide-PEG) of the desired MW.

Practical considerations:

• Viscosity and mass transfer: Pre-warm and ensure efficient mixing for reproducibility.
• Workup: PEG-rich mixtures can be diluted with water and extracted with immiscible solvents or removed by ultrafiltration/precipitation depending on the product’s polarity.
• Analytics: PEG can interfere with MS in some modes; plan cleanup prior to analysis.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. PEG 1450 is a nonionic polymeric excipient/crowding agent and does not possess specificity for biological targets (no antigen/epitope, clone, or species reactivity). For target-focused content, refer to product listings for antibodies, enzymes, or ligands.