1. What is a BSA Concentration Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the concentration of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) using the Beer-Lambert law based on absorbance measurements.

Purpose: It helps laboratory researchers and technicians quantify protein concentrations in solution for biochemical experiments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Beer-Lambert law formula:

Where:

• \( C \) — BSA concentration (mg/mL)
• \( A \) — Absorbance at 280 nm (unitless)
• \( \epsilon \) — Extinction coefficient (mL/mg·cm)
• \( l \) — Path length of the cuvette (cm)

Explanation: The absorbance is divided by the product of the extinction coefficient and path length to determine concentration.

3. Importance of BSA Concentration Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA concentration measurements are crucial for protein quantification, standardization of assays, and preparation of calibration curves.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the absorbance value (typically at 280 nm), extinction coefficient (default 0.66 mL/mg·cm for BSA), and path length (default 1.0 cm). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What wavelength should I use for BSA measurements?
A: BSA is typically measured at 280 nm due to its tryptophan and tyrosine absorbance.

Q2: What's the standard extinction coefficient for BSA?
A: The commonly used value is 0.66 mL/mg·cm, but this may vary slightly between different BSA preparations.

Q3: How do I measure absorbance?
A: Use a spectrophotometer with the sample in a quartz or UV-transparent plastic cuvette.

Q4: What if my cuvette has a different path length?
A: Adjust the path length value accordingly (e.g., 0.5 cm for microcuvettes).

Q5: Can this be used for other proteins?
A: Yes, but you must use the appropriate extinction coefficient for each specific protein.