Artificial Cerebrospinal Fluid (ACSF), Standard
Catalog No.: DCP-ACSF1X
Size: 500 mL
Storage: 4°C, protected from light
Shipping Condition: Blue Ice
Sterile: Filtered 0.1-micron membarne TWICE, 0.04-micron membrane ONCE
Shelf Life: 4 months at 4°C, Dark-light protected case, and Oxygen-control container
4 weeks after opening product, Store at 4°C in dark, aluminum-foiled condition
RESEARCH USE ONLY; Not for clinical use
Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) is a physiologically balanced buffer solution formulated to closely mimic the ionic composition, osmolarity, and pH of native cerebrospinal fluid. Also known as cerebrospinal fluid simulation fluid. It typically contains defined concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, and glucose to maintain neuronal viability and function under experimental conditions.
Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) closely matches the ion concentrations, pH, and oncotic pressure of human cerebrospinal fluid, reducing the side effects associated with normal saline infusions. It serves as a safer clinical irrigating or lavage solution and as a supplement during cerebrospinal fluid loss. In research, ACSF acts as a CSF substitute to protect intermediate neurons during brain slice perfusion, while maintaining pH balance and tissue oxygenation in applications such as rat brain microdialysis, hippocampal slice cultures, and local irrigation for treating rat brain trauma lesions.
ACSF is widely used in neuroscience research for in vitro brain slice electrophysiology, in vivo perfusion, and as a vehicle for intracerebral or intrathecal administration, where it supports tissue homeostasis and stable electrophysiological properties throughout the experiment.
pH:
- pH at 25°C (sealed, storage): ~7.1–7.2
- pH at 32–34°C after carbogen bubbling: 7.35–7.45
Compsition:
| Components |
Molarity (mM) |
Function & Rationale |
| NaCl |
119 |
Main extracellular Na+, osmotic backbone of ACSF |
| NaHCO₃ |
26.2 |
Primary CO₂/HCO₃- buffer; requires carbogen bubbling to reach final pH |
| KCl |
2.5 |
Maintains physiological K+ gradient across membrane |
| NaH₂PO₄ |
1 |
Secondary phosphate buffer; stabilizes pH during storage |
| MgCl₂ |
1.3 |
Divalent cation; limits NMDA excitotoxicity, neuroprotective |
| Glucose |
10 |
Physiological Ca2+ for synaptic transmission; added last during manufacturing to avoid precipitation |
Quality Control:
- Appearance: Clear, colorless, no visible particles
- pH (sealed, 25°C): 7.1–7.2
- Osmolality: 300–315 mOsm/kg
- Na+, K+, Ca²+, Mg²+, Cl-: Within ±5% of nominal
- Glucose: 24–26 mM
- Sterility: Pass USP <71>
- Endotoxin: <0.5 EU/mL
- Particulate matter: USP <788> (≤25/mL ≥10µm, ≤3/mL ≥25µm)
End-User Protocol:
* We do not provide gas mixture 5% CO2 + 95% O2 for the gas bubbling process to maintain the pH of the ACSF.
* Then add 2.5-mM CaCl2
This is the simplified field protocol for your customers. All formulation/sterilization complexity stays at the factory.
1. Remove the bottle from cold storage.
- Take ACSF from 2–8°C storage. (Optional) . Pre-warm the solution to a desired temperature for experimental procedures.
2. Carbogen bubbling (only required user “prep”)
- Connect a sterile gas line delivering 95% O₂ / 5% CO₂ to the solution via a 0.1-μm disc filter.
- Bubble for 10–15 minutes.
- Brings pH into the 7.35–7.45 range via the bicarbonate buffer system. Fully oxygenates the solution for optimal tissue viability.
3. Connect to the perfusion system
- Attach the outlet port to the lab’s perfusion line using sterile connectors.
- Begin perfusion at the desired flow rate (typically 2–3mL/min for slice chambers).
4. Use the window and disposal
- Use within one working day after first opening (e.g., 8–12 hours of active use).
- Keep the system closed and avoid repeated disconnection to prevent contamination (no preservative is added, relying on sterility).
- Discard any remaining volume at the end of the day or if the solution becomes cloudy, discolored, or shows precipitate.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem |
Likley Cause |
Solution |
| Poor seal formation (>30 sec) |
Old animal 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, added Ca²+ 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 |
* All DiagnoCine Precision Sterile prodcuts are filtered-sterilized with a 0.1-micron filtration two times and 0.04 micron once. Thus, mycoplasma contamination is prevented. The smallest size mycoplasma type can be about 0.2 microns.
* This product is manufactured under ISO 13485-certified and CE-approved facilities (Suppliers of DiagnoCine Precision). All final packaging, quality assurance, and testing are done at the DiagnoCine R&D and Quality Testing Center. All specific customization requests and assembly were accomplished at DiagnoCine Precision in Totowa, New Jersey, USA
