Detergents

Detergents are used in various scientific fields, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics and others. In each scientific field, detergents have their own applications and are used for different purposes.

In molecular biology, detergents are used for protein and cell membrane degradation, protein solubilisation and extraction, DNA separation from polysaccharides, lipid membrane solubilisation, they are used for specific lysis of organelles without destroying cell nuclei or for lysis of bacterial cells. Detergents find their place in a variety of applications and are used in everyday laboratory work.

Choosing the right detergent is crucial because different types of detergent have different chemical properties and can significantly affect the outcome of an experiment. Therefore, before using the chosen reagent, it is important to carefully study its properties and its suitability for the purpose needed.

There are many types of detergents used in scientific test, and their choice depends on the specific test needs and properties of the compounds under investigation. We have prepared a wide range of products for you in our store. Below you can find some examples of detergents used in scientific test:

- anionic detergents, examples of which are SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate/ SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE) or SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate/ N-LAUROYL SARCOSINE).

- non-ionic detergents – such as Triton X-100 and Tween 20, the most common in laboratories and used for buffers, for PBS or TBS washes, for ELISA assay, for westerns and other immunoassays.

- amphoteric detergents – an example of which may be CHAPS, which is an important compound in the preparation of lysis buffer.

- Organic detergents, on the other hand, are detergents that have an organic functional group and are used to dissolve organic compounds. Examples of organic detergents are ethanol, methanol and acetone.

CHAPSO is a noteworthy detergent widely used for protein preparation. It is a unique detergent that solubilises membrane proteins in their native state. CHAPSO is a zwitterionic detergent. It is characterised by higher solubility than CHAPS.

Detergents used in research act on the surfaces of liquids, tissues, membranes and other media. Their action depends on chemical properties such as hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, electrical charge, solubility and reactivity.

Detergents have the ability to emulsify fats and remove contaminants from surfaces. They can also solubilise proteins, lipids and other organic compounds. This allows them to be used to extract proteins from tissues and cells, to isolate and solubilise cell membranes and to solubilise and separate proteins in electrophoresis and chromatography.

Detergents can also alter the properties of the surfaces they act on. For example, anionic ones, such as SDS, denature proteins and remove tertiary structure, while non-ionic detergents, such as Triton X-100, preserve protein structure.

Detergents are also used for disinfection and sterilisation because they destroy biological membranes and thus kill micro-organisms.

The performance of detergents in research varies and depends on their chemical properties and application. Therefore, it is worth considering what the product is to be used for in order to choose the best one. In the EPRO store, we have prepared an extensive range of detergents, among which there is something for everyone. Our products are of the highest quality, imported from a renowned manufacturer such as BioStore. The right detergent, of the best quality, will certainly make your laboratory test more enjoyable. We invite you to take a look at our offer.