{{Short description|Aequous solution with a physiological pH and isotonic salt concentration}} A '''balanced salt solution''' ('''BSS''') is a solution made to a physiological pH and isotonic salt concentration. Solutions most commonly include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/caregiving/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/balanced-salt-solution|title=balanced salt solution|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2019-11-10|archive-date=2019-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110070152/https://www.encyclopedia.com/caregiving/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/balanced-salt-solution|url-status=live}}</ref> Balanced salt solutions are used for washing tissues and cells and are usually combined with other agents to treat the tissues and cells. They provide the cells with water and inorganic ions, while maintaining a physiological pH and osmotic pressure.<ref>Jakoby W, Pastan I. ''Cell culture''. In: Colowick S, Kaplan N, eds. Methods in Enzymology. Vol 58. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press. 1979 {{ISBN|978-0-12-181776-3}}.</ref>

Sometimes glucose is added as an energy source and phenol red is used as a pH indicator.

In medicine, balanced salt solutions can be used as an irrigation solution such as during intraocular surgery and to replace intraocular fluids.

== Balanced salt solutions== * Alsever's solution * Earle's balanced salt solution (EBSS) * Gey's balanced salt solution (GBSS) * Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) * (Dulbecco's) Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) * Puck's balanced salt solution * Ringer's balanced salt solution (RBSS) * Simm's balanced salt solution (SBSS) * TRIS-buffered saline (TBS) * Tyrode's balanced salt solution (TBSS)

===Surgical irrigation solutions=== * BSS (ophthalmic irrigation solution) (produced by Alcon) ** Composition per 1&nbsp;mL: sodium chloride (NaCl) 6.4&nbsp;mg, potassium chloride (KCl) 0.75&nbsp;mg, calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl<sub>2</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O) 0.48&nbsp;mg, magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl<sub>2</sub>•6H<sub>2</sub>O) 0.3&nbsp;mg, sodium acetate trihydrate (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>3</sub>NaO<sub>2</sub>·3H<sub>2</sub>O) 3.9&nbsp;mg, sodium citrate dihydrate (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>Na<sub>3</sub>O<sub>7</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O) 1.7&nbsp;mg, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH), and water for injection. The pH is approximately 7.5. The osmolality is approximately 300&nbsp;mOsm/Kg.<ref name=bss>{{cite web |title=BSS™ Sterile Irrigating Solution |url=https://professional.myalcon.com/sites/g/files/rbvwei1041/files/2021-11/W300048947%20I%20W300048949%20%20W300049014%20%20W300049019%20BSS%20US%20ALL.pdf |access-date=1 August 2024}}</ref> * BSS Plus (ophthalmic irrigation solution) (produced by Alcon) ** Composition per 1&nbsp;mL (once preparation complete): sodium chloride 7.14&nbsp;mg (122.17&nbsp;mmol), potassium chloride 0.38&nbsp;mg (5.097&nbsp;mmol), calcium chloride dihydrate 0.154&nbsp;mg (1.04754&nbsp;mmol), magnesium chloride hexahydrate 0.2&nbsp;mg (0.983767&nbsp;mmol), dibasic sodium phosphate 0.42&nbsp;mg (2.95858&nbsp;mmol), sodium bicarbonate 2.1&nbsp;mg (24.998&nbsp;mmol), dextrose 0.92&nbsp;mg (5.1067&nbsp;mmol), glutathione disulfide (oxidized glutathione) 0.184&nbsp;mg (0.3003&nbsp;mmol), hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH), in water for injection. The reconstituted product has a pH of approximately 7.4. Osmolality is approximately 305&nbsp;mOsm.<ref name=bss/>

==See also== *Saline (medicine) *Intravenous sugar solution

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balanced Salt Solution}} Category:Cell biology Category:Cell culture reagents Category:Intravenous fluids