EDTA K2 NEW

EDTA K₂ (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dipotassium salt) is a widely used chelating agent, primarily valued for its ability to tightly bind (sequester) divalent and trivalent metal ions (like Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺/³⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺). Its potassium salt form offers good solubility in water. Here are its key applications:

1. Clinical & Diagnostic Laboratories - Anticoagulant:

• Primary Use: EDTA K₂ is the most common anticoagulant in lavender/purple-top blood collection tubes used for hematology testing (CBC - Complete Blood Count).

• Mechanism: It irreversibly chelates calcium ions (Ca²⁺), which are essential cofactors in the coagulation cascade. By removing calcium, it prevents blood from clotting in vitro, preserving blood cells in their near-natural state for accurate cell counting and morphology assessment.

• Why K₂? The potassium salt is highly soluble and effective at the concentrations needed. EDTA K₂ is often preferred over EDTA K₃ for some automated hematology analyzers due to potential dilution effects with liquid K₃.

2. Cell Culture & Tissue Dissociation:

• EDTA solutions (often used alongside trypsin) help disrupt cell-cell adhesions mediated by calcium-dependent adhesion molecules (like cadherins). It chelates Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, weakening these bonds and facilitating the detachment of adherent cells from culture flasks for subculturing.

3. Molecular Biology & Biochemistry:

• Nuclease Inhibition: Chelates Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions, which are essential cofactors for many DNases and RNases. Adding EDTA to buffers helps protect DNA and RNA from degradation during isolation, purification, and storage (e.g., TE Buffer: Tris + EDTA).

• Enzyme Inhibition: Inhibits metalloenzymes that require metal cofactors (e.g., some phosphatases, proteases).

• Removing Metal Contaminants: Used in buffers and solutions to prevent metal-catalyzed degradation of biomolecules or interference in sensitive assays (e.g., PCR, enzymatic reactions).

4. Clinical Chemistry & Diagnostic Assays:

• Used as an additive in some blood collection tubes (e.g., royal blue-top for trace metal analysis) to prevent clotting and stabilize trace elements.

• Included in reagent formulations to chelate interfering metal ions that could affect colorimetric or enzymatic reactions.

• Used in some urine preservatives.

5. Industrial & Miscellaneous Applications:

• Food Preservation: Sometimes used to chelate metal ions (like Fe, Cu) that catalyze lipid oxidation and rancidity, or promote color/flavor degradation. Also prevents metal-catalyzed reactions that cloud soft drinks.

• Cleaning Solutions: Removes scale and metal ion deposits (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ in hard water scale, Fe³⁺ rust stains) in industrial, laboratory, and household cleaners.

• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Acts as a stabilizer/chelator in shampoos, soaps, and lotions to prevent spoilage caused by metal ions and to improve foaming/lathering.

• Textile & Paper Processing: Prevents metal ion interference in bleaching and dyeing processes.

• Agriculture: Used in some micronutrient fertilizers to keep metals soluble and bioavailable, and in some herbicide formulations.