OVERVIEW
A stock solution can be defined as a highly concentrated solution, mostly prepared as a 10x concentrated solution, which can be diluted to prepare a working solution. Stock solutions can also be used as a component to prepare complex solutions containing many ingredients. For example, a stock solution of EDTA (0.5M EDTA solution) can be used to prepare many solutions which contain EDTA e.g., TAE, TBE, Tris-EDTA, Trypsin-EDTA etc.
Advantages:
- Since stock solutions are highly concentrated, their storage requires less space.
- It is also convenient to transport stock solutions due to their small volume.
- The concentration of various components of a working solution is more accurate when it is made from the stock solution rather than individual components from its original form.
- Stock solutions of biologically active substances (e.g., enzymes, inhibitors, DNA, RNA, etc.) are generally more stable in highly concentrated form.
- They are especially helpful in situations where you need a very minute amount of a component to prepare a complex solution.
Disadvantages:
- Since stock solutions are highly concentrated, often dissolving them requires more time and effort. Sometimes, heating of the solution is required to dissolve the substances completely.
- Long-term storage of stock solutions (especially salt solution, at low temperature) may lead to precipitation of solute.