Molarity and ionic strength of focused carrier ampholytes in isoelectric focusing

Focused 1% carrier ampholytes in the pH range 3.5–10 have a molarity of 9–1 0 mM, as determined by osmolarity measurements of fractions focused in free water. From electrophoretic and isoelectric focusing data of red blood cells, it has been demonstrated that the corresponding ionic strength is 0.5 mg-ions/1. Also theoretical considerations and conductivity measurements point to a value in the range of 0.5–1.0 mg-ions/1. The following equations for ionic strength (I) calculations have been derived:I = _amph + C_Hin the pH range 2.5–7 andI = _amph + C_OHin the pH range 7–11.