A quantitative analysis on the thermal properties of phosphate buffered saline with glycerol at subzero temperatures

Abstract This study reports the first comprehensive data on the effects of glycerol, a widely used cryoprotective agent (CPA), on the thermal properties of Phosphate Buffered Saline at subzero and cryogenic (⩽−40 °C) temperatures. A Differential Scanning Calorimeter was used to measure specific and latent heats. Thermal conductivity was determined using a thermistor probe technique. Results differed significantly from known water (ice) or glycerol values, and a simple weight averaging method between water and glycerol was found to over-predict thermal conductivity below −100 °C due to glass formation. This indicates the need for these newly measured thermal properties of CPA solutions particularly below −100 °C.