Substrate Buffer for Alkaline Phosphatase is widely used in biochemical assays, especially when alkaline phosphatase activity is to be measured. The use of this buffer enables the enzymatic conversion of substrates by alkaline phosphatase, thus facilitating their detection and quantification.

The buffer is specifically designed to create an optimal environment for alkaline phosphatase activity. The magnesium chloride it contains serves as a cofactor for the enzyme, while diethanolamine, as a buffering substance, adjusts the pH to a level optimal for the enzyme.

Chemically, diethanolamine is a weak base and reacts with hydrochloric acid to form a salt that acts as a buffer. The sodium azide serves as a bactericidal agent to prevent microbial contamination of the buffer.

In medical diagnostics and life sciences, this substrate buffer is particularly useful. In immunohistochemistry, for example, alkaline phosphatase is often used as a marker enzyme, and the buffer enables the visualization of this enzyme. In addition, the buffer is used in ELISA procedures to allow the enzymatic conversion of the substrate to enable quantification of the analyte.