Uses of Boric Acid

Buffering Agent:

Boric acid is often used as a buffering agent in biochemical and molecular biology laboratories to maintain the pH of solutions. It helps stabilize the pH, particularly in biological and chemical assays.

Preservative:

It’s used as a preservative for biological specimens, especially for preserving tissue samples and microbial cultures. Boric acid solutions can inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, thereby extending the shelf life of specimens.

Indicator:

Boric acid can be used as an indicator in various chemical titrations, particularly in acid-base titrations. It changes color in the presence of certain ions or pH ranges, indicating the endpoint of a reaction.

Flame Retardant:

In certain applications where flame resistance is needed, boric acid can be incorporated into materials such as textiles or polymers to impart flame retardant properties. This application is more relevant in materials science research.

Insecticide:

Boric acid is sometimes used in laboratory settings as an insecticide to control pests such as ants, cockroaches, and silverfish. It disrupts their digestive system and is relatively low in toxicity to humans and pets.

Analytical Chemistry:

Boric acid can be used in various analytical chemistry techniques, such as chromatography and spectrophotometry, as a component of mobile phases or reagent solutions.