Ammonium Sulfate: Uses, Applications & Buying Guide for Canadian Labs and Manufacturers
Ammonium sulfate, (NH₄)₂SO₄, is one of the most widely used nitrogen sources in microbiology and bioprocessing — valued for its high solubility, stability, and reliable performance in fermentation media and protein purification. Third Space Bio supplies ammonium sulfate at practical prices, so Canadian labs, startups, and educators can keep it stocked without straining a project budget.
At a glance
| CAS Number | 7783-20-2 |
|---|---|
| Formula | (NH₄)₂SO₄ |
| Common name | Ammonium sulfate, diammonium sulfate |
| Pack sizes | 500 g ($19), 1 kg ($33), 2 kg ($55) |
| Ships from | Peterborough, ON — Canada-wide delivery |
Applications
Ammonium sulfate shows up anywhere a process needs a dependable, well-characterized nitrogen source or a way to selectively precipitate protein.
Microbial growth media & fermentation
As an inorganic nitrogen source, ammonium sulfate supports microbial growth without introducing the variability of organic nitrogen sources like peptone. It's a common component in defined and semi-defined fermentation media where researchers need to control nitrogen availability precisely.
Protein precipitation & purification
Ammonium sulfate precipitation ("salting out") remains a standard first step in many protein purification workflows, exploiting the salt's high solubility to selectively precipitate proteins by reducing water availability at the protein surface.
Where it fits for food, pharma & research buyers
Research and university labs use ammonium sulfate primarily for the two applications above — nitrogen source and protein work — making it a staple reorder item rather than a specialty purchase. Ammonium sulfate as a compound also has broader industrial relevance, including as a nitrogen source in some food, beverage, and fertilizer processes at large — though Third Space Bio's product is formulated and supplied for laboratory and bioprocessing use, not as a certified food-grade ingredient.
Ammonium sulfate vs. other nitrogen sources
| Source | Nitrogen form | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonium sulfate | Inorganic (NH₄⁺) | Defined media, protein precipitation, cost-effective bulk nitrogen |
| Urea | Organic, hydrolyzes to NH₄⁺ | Slow-release nitrogen, some industrial fermentations |
| Peptone / yeast extract | Organic (amino acids, peptides) | Rich, undefined media for fastidious organisms |
| Ammonium chloride | Inorganic (NH₄⁺) | Similar to ammonium sulfate; chloride ion may interfere in some assays |
The practical distinction: ammonium sulfate gives you a defined, inorganic nitrogen source with a well-understood role in protein chemistry, while organic sources like yeast extract or peptone bring additional growth factors at the cost of batch-to-batch variability.
Frequently asked questions
Primarily as a nitrogen source in microbial growth and fermentation media, and as a precipitating agent in protein purification workflows.
Chemically similar, but Third Space Bio's ammonium sulfate is manufactured and tested to a purity standard appropriate for laboratory and bioprocessing use, unlike bulk agricultural fertilizer.
In a cool, dry location in its original sealed container. It's hygroscopic, so minimizing exposure to humidity helps preserve flow and solubility characteristics.
Yes — Third Space Bio serves the Canadian market exclusively, with calculated Canada Post shipping rates at checkout.
See also: Reagents for Labs & Universities and Reagents for Craft & Hobbyist Fermentation Projects.
Browse pack sizes and order Ammonium Sulfate directly — part of Third Space Bio's mission to make reliable reagents accessible, not a bottleneck, for Canadian research and innovation.
