General description
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a chelator of metal ions.[1] It is a substituted diamine, which has antibacterial activity. EDTA removes the undesirable effects of ferric, cupric and manganic ions in bleaching. It prevents cellular division, chlorophyll synthesis and algal biomass production.[2] EDTA is an inhibitor of metalloprotease.[1] It has anticoagulant property.[3]
Application
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt dihydrate has been used:
as a chelating agent to isolate human endometrial stem cell/stromal cells (hEnSCs) from menstrual blood[4]
as a chelator in animal and testicular cell isolation[5]
as a chelator for the culture of neural stem cells[6]
Biochem/physiol Actions
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is used to eliminate enzyme inhibition by traces of heavy metals, and to inhibit enzymes that require divalent cations as cofactors.

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