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Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a chemical compound with the formula (CH₃)₂SO. It is an organosulfur compound that is commonly used as a solvent and a cryoprotectant. It is a colorless liquid that is miscible with water and many organic solvents.
Dextran is a complex branched glucan (polysaccharide derived from the condensation of glucose). It is commonly used in cryopreservation as a cryoprotectant due to its ability to form a protective layer around cells, reducing ice crystal formation.
Glycerol, also known as glycerine, is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic. Glycerol is widely used in cryopreservation as a cryoprotectant due to its ability to prevent ice crystal formation.
Ethylene Glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting liquid that is used as an antifreeze and in various industrial applications. It is also employed in cryopreservation as a cryoprotectant due to its ability to prevent ice crystal formation in biological samples.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also commonly known as povidone, is a synthetic water-soluble polymer made from the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone. PVP is used as a cryoprotective agent (CPA) due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, thereby reducing ice crystal formation during freezing. Its relatively low toxicity also makes it suitable for biological applications. It acts as a stabilizer during the freeze-drying process for long-term storage of therapeutic proteins and other biological samples. PVP K12-K90 are different grades of povidone available with different molecular weights and viscosities. PVP K12 has a lower molecular weight than PVP K90. The different grades or types of PVP dictate the type of application it can be used for. PVP is used across various industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
Sucrose, commonly known as table sugar, is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. It is a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many plants and fruits. While not typically used as a sole cryoprotective agent (CPA), sucrose is often used in combination with other CPAs, acting as a non-penetrating agent. Its presence in the extracellular solution helps to balance osmotic pressures and reduce cell shrinkage during the freezing process. The high concentration of sucrose in the extracellular solution creates an osmotic gradient that draws water out of the cells, thus dehydrating them and reducing the risk of ice crystal formation within the cell.Sucrose is typically used in concentrations ranging from 0.1 M to 0.5 M.
Heavy water (deuterium oxide, D2O) is a form of water that contains a larger than normal proportion of the hydrogen isotope deuterium (2H or D, also known as heavy hydrogen), rather than the common hydrogen-1 isotope (1H or H, also called protium) that makes up most of the hydrogen in normal water. The presence of deuterium gives the water different nuclear properties, and the increase of mass gives it slightly different physical and chemical properties when compared to normal water. Heavy water is not radioactive. It is used in certain types of nuclear reactors where it acts as a neutron moderator to slow down neutrons so that they are more likely to react with the fissile uranium-235 than with uranium-238, which captures neutrons without fissioning. It is also used in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, or wood spirit, is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor similar to ethanol but slightly sweeter. It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, that of ethanol (drinking alcohol). At room temperature, it is a polar liquid, and is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and denaturant for ethanol. It is also used for producing biodiesel via transesterification reaction. Methanol is produced naturally in the anaerobic metabolism of many varieties of bacteria, and is ubiquitous in the environment. As a result, there is a small fraction of methanol vapor in the atmosphere. Over the course of several days, atmospheric methanol is oxidized with the help of sunlight to carbon dioxide and water. Methanol burns in air forming carbon dioxide and water: 2 CH3OH + 3 O2 → 2 CO2 + 4 H2O. Due to its toxic properties, methanol is frequently used as a denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial uses. This addition of methanol exempts industrial ethanol (commonly known as "denatured alcohol" or "methylated spirits") from liquor excise taxation. Methanol is often called wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a byproduct of the destructive distillation of wood. Methanol is synthesized from syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in industrial plants. There are three main processes in use today. All rely on catalysts to achieve acceptable reaction rates. The reaction is conducted at elevated temperatures (250–300 °C) and pressures (5–10 MPa): CO + 2H2 → CH3OH. While the syngas can be produced from wood, this is no longer common. Most methanol today is derived from natural gas.
Propylene glycol (PG) is a cryoprotective agent (CPA) commonly used in cryopreservation due to its relatively low toxicity compared to other CPAs. It is a small, neutral molecule that can penetrate cells and reduce ice crystal formation during freezing, helping to protect cellular structures. PG is often used in combination with other CPAs, like glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), to enhance cryoprotective effects and mitigate toxicity. Various concentrations of PG have been used, and optimization depends on the specific cell type or tissue being preserved.
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in various metabolic processes. It plays a role in cell division, wound healing, ammonia removal, immune function, and the release of hormones. It has been investigated as a cryoprotective agent in various cell types and tissues due to its ability to stabilize proteins and membranes during freezing and thawing. The cryoprotective mechanisms of L-arginine aren't fully understood but it's thought to reduce ice crystal formation and mitigate the effects of oxidative stress during cryopreservation.