Because solutions in science are often much more concentrated than are desired or can be managed for a given protocol, it is frequently necessary to dilute these solutions to a desired level. This requires a working knowledge of the principles of diluting, dilution factors, concentration factors and the calculations involved. High dilutions are usually expressed exponentially (i.e: a solution which has been diluted a million fold is termed a 106 dilution, or is 10-6 concentration).

DEFINITIONS:

Aliquot: a measured sub-volume of original sample.

Diluent: material with which the sample is diluted

Dilution factor (DF): ratio of final volume/aliquot volume (final volume = aliquot + diluent)

Concentration factor (CF): ratio of aliquot volume divided by the final volume (inverse of the dilution factor)

To calculate a dilution factor:

Remember that the dilution factor is the final volume/aliquot volume.

EXAMPLE: What is the dilution factor if you add 0.1 mL aliquot of a specimen to 9.9 mL of diluent?

  1.  The final volume is equal the the aliquot volume plus the diluent volume:  0.1 mL + 9.9 mL = 10 mL

  2. The dilution factor is equal to the final volume divided by the aliquot volume: 10 mL/0.1 mL = 1:100 dilution (10 2)

The Concentration Factor for this problem = aliquot volume/final volume = 0.1/(0.1 + 9.9) = 0.01 or 10 -2 concentration

Dilutions: Explanations and Examples of Common Methods

There are many ways of expressing concentrations and dilution. The following is a brief explanation of some ways of calculating dilutions that are common in biological science

Using C1V1 = C2V2

To make a fixed amount of a dilute solution from a stock solution, you can use the formula: C1V1 = C2V2where:

  • V1 = Volume of stock solution needed to make the new solution

  • C1 = Concentration of stock solution

  • V2 = Final volume of new solution

  • C2 = Final concentration of new solution

Using Dilution Factors

To make a dilute solution without calculating concentrations, you can rely on a derivation of the above formula:

(Final Volume / Solute Volume) = Dilution Factor (can also be used with mass)

This way of expressing a dilution as a ratio of the parts of solute to the total number or parts is common in biology. The dilution factor (DF) can be used alone or as the denominator of the fraction, for example a DF of 10 means a 1:10 dilution, or 1 part solute + 9 parts diluent, for a total of 10 parts. This is different than a “dilution ratio,” which typically refers to a ratio of the parts of solute to the parts of solvent, for example a 1:9 using the previous example. Dilution factors are related to dilution ratios in that the DF equals the parts of solvent + 1 part.

  • Example: Make 300 uL of a 1:250 dilution

  • Formula: Final Volume / Solute Volume = DF

  • Plug values in: (300 uL) / Solute Volume = 250

  • Rearrange: Solute Volume = 300 uL / 250 = 1.2 uL

  • Answer: Place 1.2 uL of the stock solution into 300 uL – 1.2 uL = 298.8 uL diluent.

Step Dilutions

If the dilution factor is larger than the final volume needed, or the amount of stock is too small to be pipetted, one or more intermediary dilutions may be required. Use the formula: Final DF = DF1 * DF2 * DF3 etc., to choose your step dilutions such that their product is the final dilution.

  • Example: Make only 300 uL of a 1:1000 dilution, assuming the smallest volume you can pipette is 2 uL

  • Choose step DFs: Need a total dilution factor of 1000. Let’s do a 1:10 followed by a 1:100 (10 * 100 = 1000)

  • Formula: Final Volume / Solute Volume = DF

  • Plug values in: (300 uL) / Solute Volume = 10

  • Rearrange: Solute Volume = 300 uL / 10 = 30 uL.

  • Answer: Perform a 1:10 dilution that makes at least 30 uL (e.g. 4 uL solute into 36 uL diluent), then move 30 uL of the mixed 1:10 into 300 uL – 3 uL = 297 uL diluent to perform the 1:100 dilution.

Serial Dilutions

A dilution series is a succession of step dilutions, each with the same dilution factor, where the diluted material of the previous step is used to make the subsequent dilution. This is how standard curves for ELISA can be made. To make a dilution series, use the following formulas:

  • Move Volume = Final Volume / (DF -1)

  • Diluent Volume = Final Volume – Move Volume

  • Total Mixing Volume = Diluent Volume + Move Volume

Example 1: Make a 7-point 1:3 standard curve, starting Neat, such that you can pipette duplicates of 50 uL per well.

Calculations:

  1. Calculate the minimum diluent volume per step: 50 uL per well * 2 for duplicates = 100 uL minimum. Add extra volume to compensate for pipetting error, for example, 20 uL, which brings our desired Diluent Volume to 120 uL.

  2. Calculate Move Volume: Move Volume = 120 uL / (3-1) = 60 uL

  3. Calculate Total Mixing Volume: Total Mixing Volume = 120 uL + 60 uL = 180 uL

Answer:

  1. Prepare the first point of the standard curve, which is 180 uL of Neat standard.

  2. Prepare the diluent for the rest of the points, or six aliquots of 120 uL of diluent.

  3. Move 60 uL of the first point into the second and mix thoroughly, move 60uL of that into the next, and so on.