Until the 1960s most of the hydrogen ion buffers accessible to biological researchers were quite toxic, reactive and, therefore, inefficient. Dr. Norman E. Good, from the Michigan State University, noted that it was impossible to know “how many exploratory experiments have failed, how many reaction rates have been depressed, and how many processes have been distorted because of the imperfections of the buffers employed”.

In 1966 Dr. Good and his team of researchers decided to tackle the challenge of developing more useful and effective buffers in the pH range from 6 to 8. According to their criteria, these buffers should meet the following characteristics:
 

1. pKa between 6.0 and 8.0
2. High water solubility
3. Minimal solubility in organic solvents
4. Should not permeate cell membranes
5. Should not be toxic towards cells
6. Should not interfere with any biological process
7. The salt effect should be minimal, however, salts could be added as required
8. Ionic composition and temperature should have minimal effect on the buffering capacity
9. Should be stable and resistant to enzymatic degradation
10. Should not absorb either in the visible or in the UV region

In 1966 the following "Good’s buffers” were introduced by Norman E. Good’s team, formed by G. Douglas Winget, Wilhelmina Winter, Thomas N. Connolly, Seikichi Izawa and Raizada M. M. Singh:
 

*The highlighted buffers are currently manufactured by Hopax Fine Chemicals

The development of buffers with similar characteristics continued over the next 20 years, resulting on the following chemicals:

*The highlighted buffers are currently manufactured by Hopax Fine Chemicals

Nowadays Good’s buffers are widely used in different biotechnology applications, such as electrophoresis, chromatography, cell culture, vaccine manufacturing and others.

Further reading:How to choose the right biological buffer

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