What makes the filtration superior to standard 0.22-micron-filtered buffer?

Each lot passes through four sequential stages: 0.1 micron membrane filtration performed twice followed by 0.04 micron membrane filtration performed twice, removing finer particulates and bioburden than a single 0.22 micron pass, well below the approximately 0.2 micron size of the smallest mycoplasma organisms.

What endotoxin level should I expect, and how is it verified?

The release specification is less than 0.5 EU/mL, verified per USP less than 85 greater than Bacterial Endotoxins Test, alongside sterility testing per USP less than 71 greater than.

Artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (ACSF), Advanced

Q: Is DCP-ACSFA1X suitable for organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and microfluidic applications?

Yes. Its quadruple-stage 0.1 micron x2 / 0.04 micron x2 filtration and low particulate profile make it suitable for CSF-mimetic microfluidic channels, organ-on-a-chip, and tissue-on-a-chip perfusion systems.

Q: What pH, molarity, and ionic strength should I expect, and can these be adjusted for my protocol?

Sealed pH at 25C is approximately 7.1-7.2, reaching 7.35-7.45 after 10-15 minutes of carbogen bubbling at 32-34C. The full ion profile of standard ACSF is preserved. pH target, molarity, and salt composition can be customized on request via support@diagnocine.com.

Q: At what temperature is the pH specified, and how stable is it during storage and use?

pH is specified at 25C for sealed storage (approximately 7.1-7.2) and at 32-34C after carbogen bubbling for use (7.35-7.45). The product should be used within one working day of opening and kept closed between uses since no preservative is added.

MPS-Grade Buffer

ISO 13485 Certified Manufacturing

FluxMPS™ Artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (ACSF), Advanced

An MPS-grade, dual-buffered artificial cerebrospinal fluid engineered for acute brain slice electrophysiology, iPSC-neuron perfusion, and CSF-mimetic microfluidic workflows. Quadruple-stage 0.1 µm / 0.04 µm membrane filtration and a chelator-stabilized antioxidant system deliver microchannel-safe purity while preserving the full physiological ion profile of standard ACSF.

Quadruple-stage filtration: 0.1 µm membrane filtered TWICE and 0.04 µm membrane filtered TWICE for microchannel-safe purity
Dual buffering system (HEPES + NaHCO₃) for pH stability during handling gaps and after carbogen bubbling
Endotoxin specification <0.5 EU/mL, sterility tested to USP <71>
Full physiological ion profile preserved (no NMDG in the final perfusate)
Elevated glucose, added pyruvate, taurine, and glutamine for extended tissue viability
Chelator-stabilized (EDTA + DTPA) moderate-ascorbate antioxidant system for realistic shelf stability
Available in 500 mL fill; pH, molarity, salts, and additives customizable on request

SKU: DCP-ACSFA1X · UNSPSC 12161706 — Neutral Buffers Balanced Salt Solutions

Artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (ACSF), Advanced — 500 mL

pH (sealed, 25°C)~7.1-7.2
pH (post-carbogen, 32-34°C)7.35-7.45
Osmolality300-315 mOsm/kg
Buffer SystemDual: HEPES + NaHCO₃
Endotoxin<0.5 EU/mL
SterilityUSP <71> Pass
Filtration0.1 µm x2 + 0.04 µm x2
Storage4°C, protected from light
Shelf Life (sealed)4 months at 4°C
ShippingBlue Ice

ISO 13485:2016 USP <85> <785> <788> RUO

Why FluxMPS™

Engineered where standard ACSF falls short

Conventional 0.22 µm-filtered ACSF can carry subvisible particulates and residual bioburden into fine microfluidic channels and patch pipettes, and single-buffer formulations drift in pH between preparation and use. FluxMPS™ Advanced ACSF is built to address both failure modes at once.

filter_alt

Microchannel-safe purity

Quadruple-stage 0.1 µm x2 / 0.04 µm x2 filtration meets USP <788> particulate limits of ≤25/mL at ≥10 µm and ≤3/mL at ≥25 µm, protecting narrow perfusion lines and slice chambers from clogging.

target

Precise, stable pH

Dual buffering with HEPES and NaHCO₃ holds pH near ~7.1-7.2 sealed at 25°C and settles to 7.35-7.45 within 10-15 minutes of carbogen bubbling, without relying on bicarbonate alone.

water_drop

Ultrapure-grade water

Formulated in Type 1 water (18.2 MΩ·cm) per USP <85> practice, minimizing trace-ion and organic background in downstream imaging and electrophysiology assays.

visibility

Low background for imaging & assays

Clear, colorless, particulate-controlled formulation supports clean confocal imaging and low-noise patch-clamp recordings on acute slices and iPSC-neuron networks.

science

Defined, traceable composition

A lot-released formulation containing sodium and potassium salts, a dual phosphate/bicarbonate/HEPES buffer set, divalent cations, glucose, pyruvate, taurine, glutamine, sodium ascorbate, and a synergistic EDTA/DTPA chelator pair — keeping the full physiological ion profile of standard ACSF with no NMDG in the final perfusate.

tune

Customization on demand

pH target, molarity, salt composition, and additive content can be adjusted for your protocol — contact support@diagnocine.com.

Purity Architecture

Quadruple-stage filtration system

Every lot of FluxMPS™ Advanced ACSF passes through four sequential filtration stages — 0.1 µm membrane filtration performed TWICE and 0.04 µm membrane filtration performed TWICE — before ISO Class 5 (Class 100) aseptic fill.

1

0.1 µm Pre-filtration I

First-pass removal of large particulates and salt/precipitate aggregates, extending the working life of downstream filters.
2

0.04 µm Pre-filtration II

Fine-particulate and bioburden retention ahead of final sterile processing.
3

0.1 µm Sterile-filtration I

Second-pass 0.1 µm redundancy immediately before final polish, reducing the chance of any single-filter breach reaching the fill line.
4

0.04 µm Sterile-filtration II — Final Polish

Final 0.04 µm pass under ISO Class 5 (Class 100) conditions. Because the smallest known mycoplasma organisms are approximately 0.2 micron, a final cutoff at 0.04 µm sits well below that threshold, guarding against mycoplasma-scale contamination.

Performance vs. conventional buffer

A single 0.22 µm pass, typical of conventional ACSF, retains bioburden and particulates that a sequential 0.1 µm / 0.04 µm train removes across four discrete stages, reducing the particulate and bioburden load reaching microfluidic channels and slice chambers.

0.04 µm

Final filtration stage

4

Total filtration stages

Each lot is tested for sterility per USP <71> prior to release, in addition to the quadruple-stage 0.1 µm / 0.04 µm filtration train described above.

DCP-ACSFA1X FluxMPS Advanced ACSF quadruple-stage 0.1 micron and 0.04 micron membrane filtration diagram for organ-on-a-chip and microfluidic brain slice applications, Diagnocine — **Figure 1.** Quadruple-stage 0.1 µm x2 / 0.04 µm x2 filtration architecture used to manufacture FluxMPS™ Advanced ACSF.
© Diagnocine® — DCP-ACSFA1X

Applications

Where FluxMPS™ Advanced ACSF is used

Formulated for acute brain slice electrophysiology, iPSC-neuron network perfusion, and CSF-mimetic microfluidic and organ-on-a-chip workflows requiring physiological ion balance and stable pH.

Automated Bioreactors & Robotics

Next-Generation System Uptime

An optional 0.01 µm (10 nm) ultra-filtered variant is available for closed-loop automated bioreactors and robotic liquid-handling systems where valve and sensor protection is critical.

Total Particulate Exclusion — sub-10 nm retention for the most sensitive fluidic pathways
Valve & Sensor Protection — reduces micro-deposit buildup on precision components
Extended Perfusion Stability — supports long, unattended perfusion runs

Inquiry Required: the 0.01 µm ultra-filtered grade is available on request — contact support@diagnocine.com.

Microfluidics

Micro Physiological System (MPS) & Chip

Physiological ACSF perfusion for CSF-mimetic microfluidic channels and neural organ-on-a-chip platforms.

OoCToCBoCLoCMPS

Sample Preparation

Wash, Dilution & Reconstitution

Physiologically balanced rinse and dilution medium for neural tissue handling prior to recording or fixation.

LysisDilutionReconstitutionRinse

Stem Cell Biology

iPSC-Derived Model Handling

Elevated glucose, pyruvate, taurine, and glutamine support metabolic demand during perfusion of iPSC-derived neuronal networks.

iPSC-NeuronsiPSC-CMiPSC-Hep

Vascular Biology

Endothelial & Primary Cell Perfusion

Physiological divalent cation levels support primary cell and endothelial perfusion adjacent to neural tissue models.

HUVECsHAECsPrimary hepatocytes

Immunoassays

ELISA, Blotting & Blocking

Low-particulate, low-background buffer suitable as a wash or dilution vehicle in downstream immunoassay workflows.

ELISAWestern blotIHCIF

Live-Cell Imaging

Microscopy & Optical Sensing

Clear, colorless, particulate-controlled formulation supports patch-clamp electrophysiology and confocal imaging of acute brain slices.

ConfocalBiosensorsTEER

Recommended use protocol: DiagnoCine does not supply the 95% O₂ / 5% CO₂ gas mixture used for pH adjustment. (1) Remove the bottle from 2-8°C cold storage and optionally pre-warm to the desired experimental temperature. (2) Connect a sterile 95% O₂ / 5% CO₂ gas line via a 0.1 µm disc filter and bubble for 10-15 minutes to bring pH into the 7.35-7.45 range and fully oxygenate the solution. (3) Attach the outlet port to the perfusion line with sterile connectors and begin perfusion, typically at 2-3 mL/min for slice chambers. (4) Use within one working day of first opening (approximately 8-12 hours of active use), keep the system closed to avoid repeated disconnection since no preservative is added, and discard any remaining volume at the end of the day or if the solution becomes cloudy, discolored, or shows precipitate.

Troubleshooting guide

Problem	Likely Cause	Solution
Poor seal formation (>30 sec)	Aged tissue, insufficient recovery time	Use NMDG protocol; extend recovery to 15 min
High series resistance	Damaged cells, divalent cation imbalance	Check Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ concentrations; reduce slice thickness
Rapid rundown	Oxidative stress, insufficient antioxidants	Increase ascorbate to 10 mM; check fresh preparation
Precipitation after Ca²⁺ addition	pH too high, Ca²⁺ added before pH adjustment	Adjust pH to 7.3-7.4 first, then add Ca²⁺ slowly while stirring
Cloudy solution	Contamination, expired components	Discard; sterilize equipment; use fresh antioxidants
Low viable neuron yield	Poor slicing technique, inadequate oxygenation	Use glycerol cutting solution; check carbogen flow rate

Technical Specifications

Full specification sheet

All values below reflect DiagnoCine's release specification for this product, as tested at manufacture.

Physical & Chemical Parameters

Parameter	Specification
Formulation type	Modified ACSF; dual buffer (HEPES + NaHCO₃)
Appearance	Clear, colorless, no visible particles
pH (sealed, 25°C) USP <791>	~7.1-7.2
pH (32-34°C, post-carbogen)	7.35-7.45
Osmolality USP <785>	300-315 mOsm/kg
Glucose concentration	24-26 mM
Pyruvate concentration	2.7-3.3 mM

Sterility, Purity & Safety Parameters

Parameter	Specification
Endotoxin USP <85> BET	<0.5 EU/mL
Sterility USP <71>	Pass
Particulate ≥10 µm USP <788>	≤25/mL
Particulate ≥25 µm USP <788>	≤3/mL
Water quality	Ultrapure Type 1 water (18.2 MΩ·cm)
Fill environment	ISO Class 5 (Class 100)

Storage, Handling & Logistics

Parameter	Specification
Storage temperature	4°C, protected from light
Shipping condition	Blue Ice
Shelf life (sealed)	4 months at 4°C, dark/light-protected case, oxygen-control container
Shelf life (opened)	4 weeks at 4°C, dark, aluminum-foiled condition
pH re-equilibration	Carbogen (95% O₂ / 5% CO₂) bubbling, 10-15 minutes, via 0.1 µm disc filter

Raw Materials & Regulatory Traceability

Parameter	Specification
Manufacturing QMS ISO 13485:2016	Certified
Regulatory alignment	CE-approved facility
Production & QA site	DiagnoCine R&D and Quality Testing Center, Totowa, New Jersey, USA
Intended use	Research Use Only (RUO); not for clinical use

Formulation

Full composition

A dual-buffered, chelator-stabilized modified ACSF formulation released per lot; concentrations shown are as specified where disclosed, with formulation details available on the Certificate of Analysis.

Composition
Component	CAS Number	Concentration
NaCl	7647-14-5	–
NaHCO₃	144-55-8	–
KCl	7447-40-7	–
NaH₂PO₄·H₂O	10049-21-5	–
MgCl₂·6H₂O	7791-18-6	–
CaCl₂·2H₂O	10035-04-8	–
Glucose	50-99-7	24-26 mM
HEPES (Na salt)	75277-39-3	–
Na-pyruvate	113-24-6	2.7-3.3 mM
L-Glutamine	56-85-9	–
Taurine	107-35-7	–
Na-ascorbate	134-03-2	–
Disodium EDTA	6381-92-6	–
DTPA	67-43-6	–
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)	616-91-1	–

Component rationale

NaCl: Main extracellular Na+ source; osmotic backbone of ACSF.
NaHCO₃: Primary CO₂/HCO₃- buffer; requires carbogen bubbling to reach final pH.
KCl: Maintains the physiological K+ gradient across the membrane.
NaH₂PO₄·H₂O: Secondary phosphate buffer; stabilizes pH during storage.
MgCl₂·6H₂O: Divalent cation; limits NMDA excitotoxicity, neuroprotective.
CaCl₂·2H₂O: Physiological Ca2+ for synaptic transmission; added last during manufacturing to avoid precipitation.
Glucose: Elevated from a 10 mM baseline; surplus energy for long recording windows.
HEPES (Na salt): Dual buffer with bicarbonate; stabilizes pH during handling gaps and storage.
Na-pyruvate: ROS scavenger; alternative TCA cycle substrate; neuroprotective.
L-Glutamine: Most abundant CSF amino acid; metabolic and neurotransmitter support.
Taurine: Osmoregulator, mild antioxidant, neuromodulator in CSF.
Na-ascorbate: Moderate antioxidant level chosen for stability in a ready-to-use format; chelators protect it from oxidation.
Disodium EDTA: Chelates Fe3+/Cu2+; prevents metal-catalyzed ascorbate oxidation.
DTPA: Additional chelator, synergistic with EDTA for robust metal control.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC): Additional chelator, synergistic with EDTA for robust metal control.

Stability & chelation rationale: EDTA and DTPA trap trace Fe3+/Cu2+ that would otherwise catalyze ascorbate autoxidation and Fenton-type reactions. Storage at 2-8°C slows ascorbate oxidation and glutamine degradation, an approach analogous to parenteral vitamin C and antibiotic formulations. Combined with oxygen-barrier packaging and an inert gas headspace, this chelator-stabilized antioxidant strategy is consistent with the 6-12 month stability window reported for similar aqueous formulations; DiagnoCine's own release specification for this product remains 4 months sealed at 4°C and 4 weeks after opening. This formulation keeps the full physiological ion profile of standard ACSF, with no NMDG present in the final perfusate.

Custom pH, molarity, salt composition, and additive content are available on request — contact support@diagnocine.com.

Quality Assurance

Manufacturing & compliance

FluxMPS™ Advanced ACSF is manufactured under an ISO 13485-certified, CE-approved quality system, with final packaging and testing completed at DiagnoCine's own facility.

verified

ISO 13485:2016 QMS

Manufactured under ISO 13485-certified and CE-approved supplier facilities.

water_drop

Ultrapure Type 1 Water

Formulated using 18.2 MΩ·cm Type 1 water consistent with USP <85> practice.

biotech

ISO Class 5 Fill & Finish

Final fill performed under ISO Class 5 (Class 100) conditions following quadruple-stage filtration.

assignment

Micro-Batch Precision

All specific customization requests and final assembly are completed at DiagnoCine Precision in Totowa, New Jersey, USA.

Endotoxin USP <85> BET

Release specification: <0.5 EU/mL.

Particulate USP <788>

≤25/mL at ≥10 µm; ≤3/mL at ≥25 µm.

Osmolality USP <785>

Release specification: 300-315 mOsm/kg.

Documentation / CoA

Certificate of Analysis available for every lot, covering appearance, pH, osmolality, ion levels, glucose, pyruvate, ascorbate, taurine/glutamine, sterility, endotoxin, and particulate results.

This product is manufactured under ISO 13485-certified and CE-approved facilities (suppliers of DiagnoCine Precision). Final packaging, quality assurance, and testing are completed at the DiagnoCine R&D and Quality Testing Center. Request a Certificate of Analysis at support@diagnocine.com.

Product Comparison

How DCP-ACSFA1X compares

A side-by-side view of Advanced ACSF against conventional ACSF and standard laboratory-grade buffer alternatives.

Parameter	DCP-ACSFA1X (FluxMPS™)	Conventional ACSF (0.22 µm filtered)	Standard alternative (0.22 µm filtered buffer)
Dual buffering (HEPES + bicarbonate)	check_circle	cancel	cancel
Final filtration pore size	0.04 µm	0.22 µm	0.22 µm
Number of filtration stages	4	1	1
Endotoxin specification	<0.5 EU/mL	Not specified	Not specified
USP <788> particulate compliance	check_circle	cancel	cancel
Ultrapure Type 1 water	check_circle	cancel	cancel
ISO 13485:2016 manufacturing	check_circle	cancel	cancel
Microfluidic channel compatibility	check_circle	cancel	cancel
Chelator-stabilized antioxidant system	check_circle	cancel	cancel
Custom formulation on request	check_circle	cancel	cancel

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about FluxMPS™ Advanced ACSF (DCP-ACSFA1X).

Yes. Its quadruple-stage 0.1 µm x2 / 0.04 µm x2 filtration and low particulate profile make it suitable for CSF-mimetic microfluidic channels, organ-on-a-chip, and tissue-on-a-chip perfusion systems.

Each lot passes through four sequential stages: 0.1 µm membrane filtration performed twice followed by 0.04 µm membrane filtration performed twice. This sequential, finer-cutoff approach removes finer particulates and bioburden than a single 0.22 µm pass, well below the approximately 0.2 micron size of the smallest mycoplasma organisms.

Sealed pH at 25°C is ~7.1-7.2, reaching 7.35-7.45 after 10-15 minutes of carbogen bubbling at 32-34°C. The full ion profile of standard ACSF is preserved. pH target, molarity, and salt composition can be customized on request via support@diagnocine.com.

pH is specified at 25°C for sealed storage (~7.1-7.2) and at 32-34°C after carbogen bubbling for use (7.35-7.45). The product should be used within one working day of opening and kept closed between uses since no preservative is added.

The formulation already includes EDTA and DTPA chelators alongside sodium ascorbate for antioxidant stability. Additional salt, molarity, or additive customization is available on request via support@diagnocine.com.

The release specification is less than 0.5 EU/mL, verified per USP <85> Bacterial Endotoxins Test, alongside sterility testing per USP <71>.

Yes. Each lot's CoA covers appearance, pH, osmolality, ion levels, glucose, pyruvate, ascorbate, taurine/glutamine content, sterility, endotoxin, and particulate matter results. Request a copy at support@diagnocine.com.

Scientific References

Supporting literature

Curated references relevant to ACSF composition, brain slice electrophysiology, buffer chemistry, and chelation science.

Ting JT, et al. Preparation of acute brain slices using an optimized N-methyl-D-glucamine protective recovery method. doi:10.3791/53825
Bourque CW. Central mechanisms of osmosensation and systemic osmoregulation. doi:10.1038/nrn2400
Somjen GG. Ion regulation in the brain: implications for pathophysiology. doi:10.1177/107385840200800410
Rice ME. Ascorbate regulation and its neuroprotective role in the brain. doi:10.1016/S0166-2236(99)01543-X
Buskila Y, et al. Extending the viability of acute brain slices. doi:10.1038/srep05309
Good NE, et al. Hydrogen ion buffers for biological research. doi:10.1021/bi00866a011
Halliwell B, Gutteridge JMC. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine (chelation and Fenton chemistry). doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198717478.001.0001
Ingram J, et al. Chemical and physical properties of cerebrospinal fluid. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804279-3.00002-3
Kettenmann H, et al. Physiology of microglia. doi:10.1152/physrev.00011.2010
Huang YL, et al. Microfluidic devices for the study of neural cells and networks. doi:10.1038/s41378-019-0107-9