<P> TBE or Tris / Borate / EDTA, is a buffer solution containing a mixture of Tris base, boric acid and EDTA . </P> <P> In molecular biology, TBE and TAE buffers are often used in procedures involving nucleic acids, the most common being electrophoresis . Tris - acid solutions are effective buffers for slightly basic conditions, which keep DNA deprotonated and soluble in water . EDTA is a chelator of divalent cations, particularly of magnesium (Mg). As these ions are necessary co-factors for many enzymes, including contaminant nucleases, the role of the EDTA is to protect the nucleic acids against enzymatic degradation . But since Mg is also a co-factor for many useful DNA - modifying enzymes such as restriction enzymes and DNA polymerases, its concentration in TBE or TAE buffers is generally kept low (typically at around 1 mM). </P> <P> More recently discovered substitutes for TBE and TAE buffers for electrophoresis are available . </P> <Ul> <Li> 54 g of Tris base (CAS #77 - 86 - 1) </Li> <Li> 27.5 g of boric acid (CAS #10043 - 35 - 3) </Li> <Li> 20 ml of 0.5 M EDTA (CAS #60 - 00 - 4) (pH 8.0) </Li> </Ul>

Which of the three components in tbe is conductive