Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt dihydrate

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a polyprotic acid and a metal chelating agent. It comprises four carboxylic acid and two amine groups with lone-pair electrons that can chelate calcium and several other metal ions. 

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt dihydrate has been used:

• in the decalcification of femurs for the histoprocessing and staining of osteochondral tissue
• as a component of NH₄Cl lysis buffer for erythrocyte lysis and bulk characterization
• for the isolation of crypts from the connective tissues of mice

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is used to eliminate enzyme inhibition by traces of heavy metals, and to inhibit enzymes that require divalent cations as cofactors.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is used to treat patients poisoned with heavy metal ions. It functions as a chelator of the zinc ion in the active site of metalloproteases. EDTA inhibits other metal ion-dependent proteases such as calcium-dependent cysteine proteases. It might interfere with biological events which are metal ion-dependent. EDTA inhibits platelet aggregation and is the most preferred anticoagulant for platelet counts. It associates with other active agents to modulate microorganisms and biofilms, like citric acid, alcohol, antibiotics, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) quaternary ammonium compounds, and other antiseptics. EDTA is used as an anticoagulant for hematological testing, as it preserves the cellular components and morphology of blood cells.