General description
Sodium chloride (NaCl), common salt also known as halite, is
ubiquitous in occurrence and has many vital applications. It is a white
crystalline solid, fairly soluble in water. NaCl is a flavouring agent in the
food industry and used for texturing bread and baked foods. NaCl is an
essential salt for normal body functions in humans and animals.[1] NaCl is
essential for maintaining plasma osmolality and extracellular fluid volume of
the body. Excess of NaCl leads to elevated blood pressure which has implications
on cardiovascular and renal diseases.[2] NaCl is a basic component in the
microbiological medium, specifically for culturing of
halophiles.[3] Sterile NaCl is a constituent of eye drop solutions.[4]
Application
Sodium chloride has been used:
- as a
supplement in serum free media for CA3 pyramidal neuron layer
preparation[5]
- in
the preparation of oligonucleotides (ODNs) annealing buffer[6]
- in
the preparation of phosphate buffered saline and in phosphatase
methylesterase-1 (PME-1) inhibition and counterscreen assay buffers[7]
