BB1 General Blocker Blocking Buffer

General Blocker Blocking Buffer (BB1) contains a mammalian protein blocking agent (based on BSA) suitable for most monoclonal and polyclonal antibody capture ELISA formats, and peptide and protein antigen-down ELISA formats.

This unique, low-level blocking buffer contains proprietary protein stabilizers that provide a long-term stabilizing environment for dried antigen or antibody coat proteins, while minimizing nonspecific binding interactions during the assay process.

General Blocker Blocking Buffer also contains an antimicrobial agent for room temperature blocking and long-term dried plate storage at 2°-8°C. BB1 is formulated at 1X, ready to use, and is stable for 18 months when stored at 2°-8°C or 1 month when stored at room temperature.

For higher-level blocking needs, consider our BB2 Neptune Block or our all-synthetic BB3 SynBlock Blocking Buffer.

What does a blocking buffer do to the coated plate?
All of ICT's unique blocking buffers contain proprietary additives that stabilize the antigenic and functional regions of the coated protein by maintaining a level of hydration during the drying and storage process. These buffers also contain inert additives that block any "sticky" nonspecific binding regions of the adsorbed protein and any uncoated regions of the polystyrene plate surface. This reduces nonspecific binding of the conjugate and random deposits of sample proteins, reducing background noise and increasing the specific signal. ICT's proprietary block buffers also include an antimicrobial agent to prevent bacterial growth during the blocking process, which allows blocking to be done at room temperature, and to extend the shelf-life of the plates. Plates can be blocked and dried at room temperature and stored for 1 year or longer at 2°-8°C, depending on the coated protein.

When should BB1 be used?
BB1 is used as a general purpose, low-level blocker for sandwich and antigen-down ELISA formats that require low level to average level blocking. ICT offers a trial pack containing 100 mL each of three different blocking buffers for an economical and fast method of selecting the best blocking buffer for a particular assay (BBOP, catalog #957).

What type of ELISA plates will BB1 work on?
BB1 works on all types of polystyrene ELISA plates.

How are plates dried?
Plates coated and blocked with ICT's reagents should always be dried at room temperature. Blocked plates should first be aspirated to remove Block Buffer. To dry, place them in a fume hood, loosely covered with foil. Turn the fume hood on and dry overnight. An alternate method is to dry the plates in a vacuum chamber without heat for 4 hours. Plates should never be stacked on one another while drying. It is recommended that lyophilization should not be used as a drying method.

How should dried plates be stored?
Dried plates should be placed in a foil pouch (ICT catalog # 6288) with a 5 gram desiccant packet (ICT catalog # 6289) and sealed. The plates can then be stored at 2°-8°C for up to one year.