Normal Saline Solution (NSS) is commonly used in various laboratory procedures like in the preparation

of Red cells Suspension for the crossmatch, for preparing dilutions of Reagents, for stool examinations,
to make the dilutions in serological tests, diagnostic tests etc.

There are commercially prepared Normal saline solution available in the market but it can easily be
prepared manually in the laboratory whenever required. The normal saline solution is simply the 0.85%
Sodium chloride (NaCl) solution which can be prepared in the laboratory by dissolving the calculated
amount of Sodium chloride crystals in the required quantity of Distilled water.

APPARATUS REQUIRED…..

 Weighing scale
 Volumetric flask/beaker
 Stirrer
 Funnel

CHEMICALS REQUIRED…..

 Distilled water
 Sodium chloride (NaCl)

PROCEDURE FOR NORMAL SALINE SOLUTION…..

⇒ Weigh 8.5 gm of Sodium chloride (NaCl) with the help of weighing

scale.
⇒ Now take 500 ml of distilled water in the volumetric flask or in a
Beaker and to this add 8.5 gm NaCl.
⇒ Swirl the flask gently to mix the contents or stir in case you are
making the solution in a beaker with the help of stirrer.
⇒ When NaCl dissolves completely then add distilled water and make
the final volume 1 liter.
⇒ Insert an air-tight stopper into the mouth of the volumetric flask and
shake it gently to make the solution homogeneous or if you are using a
beaker stir the solution well using a stirrer.
Check out the Preparation of Phosphate Buffer Solution in Laboratory.
⇒ Now Autoclave the prepared normal saline solution at 121 °C, 15 psi
pressure for 15 minutes. This will sterilize the solution and made it the
Laboratory grade Normal saline solution which can be used in
pathological as well as microbiological analysis.
⇒ If you have prepared the Normal saline in a beaker transfer it to the
volumetric flask or Erlenmeyer flask and autoclave it at 121 °C, 15 psi
pressure for 15 minutes.
In this way the Laboratory grade Normal saline solution is
prepared in the laboratories.