Definition - What does Buffering Capacity mean?
Buffering capacity is the effectiveness with which an aqueous solution can absorb and offset the effects of an acid or alkali. Also known as buffer efficiency, buffer value, and buffer index. It is the buffer's ability to resist change, where a buffer is a weak acid or alkaline solution and it's conjugate salt.
SureHire explains Buffering Capacity
In drug testing protocols, a buffer may be added to a sample in order to prevent bacteria from growing in the solution and compromising the integrity of the sample. Buffer capacity is expressed as the amount of grams of the alkaline or base required to be added in order to bring about a change of 1 in the pH of the solution. Buffer capacity can also be altered through changes in temperature of a solution. Because of the Ph change to urine samples and the methods used by immunoassy drug testing, buffering agents are also sometimes used by employees in an attempt to cheat drug testing.
