Sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate is widely employed as a buffering agent in molecular biology protocols, particularly in gel electrophoresis processes to control the pH during the separation of macromolecules, such as DNA and RNA. Its chelating properties are harnessed in the preparation of solutions for DNA and RNA extraction, where it helps to protect nucleic acids from degradation by sequestering metal ions that can act as catalysts for enzymatic breakdown. Sodium Citrate Tribasic Dihydrate is also a key component in the storage of blood components, as it prevents coagulation by binding calcium ions. Additionally, this chemical serves as a source of citrate in metabolic studies and enzymatic reactions, where it can participate in the citric acid cycle or be utilized as a substrate for specific enzymatic transformations.
Also Sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate is chiefly used as a food additive, usually for flavor or as a preservative.
