Difference Between EDTA and EGTA

Definition of EDTA and EGTA

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a synthetic, colorless, and water-soluble organic acid. It is commonly used as a chelating agent to remove metal ions from aqueous solutions.

EGTA (Ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid) is a synthetic, colorless, and water-soluble organic acid similar to EDTA. It is used as a chelator in biological research to sequester calcium ions, which helps to stabilize cellular structures and maintain the normal functioning of cells.

Difference Between EDTA and EGTA

Chemical Structure

•  EDTA: EDTA has a complex molecular structure that contains four carboxylic acid groups and two amine groups. Its chemical formula is C10H16N2O8.
•  EGTA: EGTA has a similar structure to EDTA, but with two ethylene glycol groups instead of two amine groups. Its chemical formula is C14H24N2O10.

Properties

EDTA:

• Physical properties: EDTA is a white crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. Its pH is typically between 6.5 and 7.5, making it slightly acidic.
• Chemical properties: EDTA is a stable compound that is not easily decomposed by heat or light. It reacts with metal ions to form stable, water-soluble chelates, which makes it useful as a chelating agent.

EGTA:

• Physical properties: EGTA is a white crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. Its pH is close to neutral, around 7.0.
• Chemical properties: EGTA is a stable compound that is not easily decomposed by heat or light. It specifically reacts with calcium ions to form stable chelates, which makes it useful for chelating calcium ions in biological systems.

Applications

EDTA:

• Industrial: EDTA is commonly used in the food and cosmetic industries to chelate metal ions that can cause spoilage or discoloration. It is also used in the textile industry to remove heavy metal ions from fabric.
• Medical: EDTA is used in chelation therapy to remove heavy metals, such as lead, from the body.
• Food: EDTA is used as a food preservative to prevent discoloration and maintain the stability of food products.

EGTA:

• Scientific research: EGTA is commonly used in cell biology to chelate calcium ions and stabilize cells. It is also used to study the effects of calcium ions on cellular processes.
• Biology: EGTA is used in the study of cellular signaling and membrane transport, as well as in the cultivation of cells in vitro.
• Medical: EGTA is used in medical applications such as the treatment of cardiac arrest, where it is used to chelate calcium ions and improve blood flow to the heart.

Conclusion

EDTA and EGTA are two synthetic organic acids that are used as chelating agents. While they share some similarities, they have different chemical and physical properties, as well as unique applications. EDTA is used in a wider range of applications and reacts with a wider range of metal ions, while EGTA is primarily used in scientific research and biology, and specifically reacts with calcium ions. Understanding the differences between these two chelating agents is important in order to choose the most appropriate one for a given task.

Reference website

Here is a website that provides more information on EDTA and EGTA:

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/EDTA#section=Top https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/EGTA#section=Top
2. Sigma-Aldrich: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/technical-documents/articles/biology/edta-and-egta.html
3. Merck Millipore: https://www.merckmillipore.com/US/en/product/EDTA-disodium-salt-dihydrate,MDA_CHEM-EDT0050 https://www.merckmillipore.com/US/en/product/EGTA,MDA_CHEM-EGT0001

These resources provide detailed information on the properties, applications, and differences between EDTA and EGTA, as well as other related information.