When it comes to experimenting in cell biology, two names had actually been used as a saline solution to achieve the necessary chemical purposes.PBS stands for Phosphate Buffered Saline, and HBSS means Hanks’s Balanced Salt Solution. These solutions hold the cell/tissue when examining to preserve the neutral pH, conserves the cell/tissue sample/s and keep the osmolarity.
PBS as a buffer is not toxic to tissues or cells. It is a combination of water (H20), Sodium Chloride (NaCl), and Sodium Phosphate (Na3PO4) – at times Potassium Chloride (KCl) or Potassium Phosphate (K3PO4)are added. Aside from the natural buffering effect of this substance, it is also used as dilution and rinse solution to maintain cell sanitation. It usually comes in a liquid form.
HBSS, an isotonic solution due to its balanced salt component, maintains the size of the cells and provides a neutral environment. It is composed of different electrolytes, commonly found in the intracellular and extracellular compartments, such as the pairs sodium and potassium, and calcium and magnesium, and chloride. This also has different recipes, some with glucose as part of the mixture. It is available in a powder and liquid form, depending on the manufacturer.
Chemists can blend the following solutions as needed, but PBS is easier to make than HBSS. Therefore, more experiments are done using PBS.
What is the Difference Between PBS and HBSS?
| PBS | HBSS | |
| Meaning | Phosphate-Buffered Saline | Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution |
| Usage | Used in cell biology, mostly in biochemistry and molecular biology experiments | Used in cell biology mostly in overall biological research |
| Characteristics | Help maintain a neutral pH and osmotic pressure on the sample .Maintain the flow of water from inside and outside the same cell tissue | Help maintain a neutral pH and osmotic pressure on the sample .Maintain the flow of water from inside and outside the same cell tissue |
| Ingredients and forms | Liquid form | Powder or liquid form |
| Which is easier to make? | PBS is easier to make | There are dangers in making HBSS |
